Manchester City delivered a stunning performance to secure a spot in the Champions League final with a resounding 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final tie, resulting in a commanding 5-1 aggregate win.
Bernardo Silva emerged as the hero of the night, netting two goals in the first half as Pep Guardiola’s side completely dominated the defending champions. Despite Carlo Ancelotti’s attempt to rally his team after the break, Eder Militao’s own goal and Julian Alvarez’s late strike only served to highlight the glaring gap in quality between the two teams.
City’s remarkable form, which has seen them go unbeaten in 23 games and secure 15 consecutive wins at the Etihad Stadium, proved far too formidable for Real Madrid to handle. With this impressive victory, Manchester City now advances to face Inter Milan in the Champions League final, scheduled for June 10 in Istanbul.
The contest between City and Real Madrid was finely poised after both teams scored spectacular goals in the first leg at the Bernabeu. The atmosphere surrounding the match was electric, with pyrotechnics greeting the arrival of the team bus. Boos accompanied the Champions League anthem, but the fans’ enthusiasm thereafter demonstrated their fervent desire to witness their team dethrone European royalty.
From the moment the game kicked off, it was clear that City were in a league of their own. Erling Haaland, who had been kept quiet in the previous match by Antonio Rudiger, found more freedom with Militao’s presence. Within 13 minutes, Haaland could have given City the lead if not for an acrobatic save by Thibaut Courtois using his body. Shortly after, Haaland was denied again, this time by Courtois’ outstretched arm. Although Courtois continued to thwart Haaland’s attempts, City’s relentless pressure paid off.
In the first leg, City had dominated proceedings early on, only to learn that appearances could be deceiving. Ancelotti’s side possessed the patience and self-belief to wait for their moment. While there were a couple of warning signs, such as Vinicius Junior momentarily finding space behind Kyle Walker, City’s defense proved solid. Toni Kroos came closest to scoring for Madrid, striking the crossbar with their only notable chance of the first half.
However, there was no sign of the composed control typically associated with Ancelotti’s team. Instead, they found themselves overwhelmed by City’s attacking prowess. The second goal, with Silva heading in after Ilkay Gundogan’s shot was blocked, accurately reflected the vast disparity between the two sides.
Madrid’s few highlights were individual efforts, with David Alaba’s powerful shot requiring Ederson to tip it over the bar. City, on the other hand, displayed slick and cohesive play. Surprisingly, their third goal came from a mishap by Militao, who inadvertently put the ball into his own net from Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick. The fans erupted in celebration, sensing a momentous victory. The joy in the stands was further amplified when Alvarez calmly slotted in the fourth goal. For City supporters accustomed to disappointment in this competition, this complete performance felt like a significant milestone and, perhaps, a passing of the baton in European football.
Having already overcome Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, City has now triumphed over another European heavyweight. Inter Milan awaits them in Istanbul for the final. The possibility of City securing an historic treble is becoming increasingly likely. Carlo Ancelotti graciously admitted that City deserved the victory, acknowledging their superiority on the night. Guardiola, when asked to rank this performance, declared it the highest, given the stature of the opponent and the stage of the competition. He commended his team’s resilience and mentioned that the pain of last season’s defeat in the same stage was a motivating factor.
While Guardiola has been reluctant to discuss the treble, he acknowledged that the players are aware of its possibility as they approach the final stages of the season. With just one more win needed in the Premier League to secure the title and a showdown against Manchester United in the FA Cup final, City stands on the precipice of an extraordinary achievement. Guardiola emphasized their determination and expressed their intent to make history. As they draw closer to their ultimate goals, the treble becomes an increasingly realistic target for this exceptional Manchester City side.
