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Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid: City maul Madrid to reach Champions League final

Manchester City demolished Real Madrid 4-0 (5-1 on aggregate) to set up a Champions League final with Inter Milan.

In front of a thronging Etihad crowd, Thibaut Courtois pulled off his first world-class save after 13 minutes to deny Erling Haaland’s header following a pinpoint Jack Grealish cross.

Courtois was on hand yet again to deny Haaland in the 22nd minute. The Norwegian rose highest to power a header that looked destined for the back of the net, but Courtois somehow got across to make a stunning save.

READ ALSO: Manchester City force Madrid to a draw with De Bruyne’s wonder strike

However, Pep Guardiola’s side made the breakthrough just a minute later courtesy of Bernardo Silva. Kevin De Bruyne slid Silva in with an incisive pass and the Portuguese attacker smashed his effort past Courtois.


Toni Kroos came close to levelling the score shortly afterward when his vicious effort from a distance rattled the crossbar.


But Silva was on hand to score his and City’s second of the game after 37 minutes. Ilkay Gundogan’s effort was saved by Courtois and Silva was on hand to delicately loop his header into the back of the net.

Ederson was called into action early in the second half when he pulled off a sublime save to keep out David Alaba’s free kick.

READ ALSO: Inter Milan beat city rivals AC Milan to reach Champions League final


Manchester City came again though and made it 3-0 15 minutes from time. De Bruyne’s free-kick was met by Manuel Akanji and his effort deflected off Eder Militao and into the back of the net.

Julian Alvarez put the icing on the cake with a goal in stoppage time to make it 4-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate. Substitute Phil Foden played a superb pass into the path of Alvarez who calmly squeezed it past Courtois and into the corner.

Manchester City worthy winners- Ancelotti

Ancelotti accepted that City were worthy winners. “I think tonight Manchester City deserved to win because they played better than us,” he said. “Last season was different. They were better than us tonight as last season we were better than them.”

Asked where he ranks this performance, Guardiola could not have been clearer. “The highest,” he replied. “Considering the opponent, Real Madrid in the semi-final of the Champions League. We had to perform well and we did, especially in the first half.”

He added: “I had the feeling these last days that we had the mix of calm and tension. After 10 or 15 minutes, I had the feeling that all the pain of last season was there today. It was so tough last season … We had to swallow everything.”

READ ALSO: I will not overthink – Pep Guardiola

That was a reference to the stunning defeat in the Bernabeu at this stage one year ago when City contrived to surrender a two-goal lead with just minutes remaining. His players’ character was criticised. “We accepted defeat and today we were there.”

Guardiola has been reluctant to discuss the possibility of the treble but did concede that it was natural for it to be in the players’ minds as his team close in on a historic achievement for the club. “It is normal,” he said. “We are three games away.”

One more win in the Premier League will retain that title. Manchester United await them in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Secure those results and the treble can be won with victory over Inter. “We are close and of course, we are going to try.”

Player of the match – Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

The 28-year-old was simply magnificent from the first whistle to the last. His first goal to put Manchester City ahead was a sublime finish to beat Thibaut Courtois, who had already pulled off a couple of world-class saves. For his second Silva had to show composure and finesse to direct his delicate header into the back of the net. Out of possession, he was tenacious, chasing down and pressing Real Madrid when they had the ball and he didn’t stop all night. It was an excellent performance from a terrific player.

Alfred Saiki
Alfred Saiki
A passionate sports journalist and administrator. I want to see the world.