Manchester City secured a place in the Champions League final with a dominating 4-0 victory over Real Madrid, led by Bernardo Silva’s two goals. In addition to Silva’s goals, a goal by Eder Militao and a late strike by Julian Alvarez added to the victory for the English champions. This win brought them closer to achieving a treble, with only three victories needed.
“To play like that against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals is a huge satisfaction,” said Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola. The win propels them closer to finally conquering Europe against Inter Milan in Istanbul on June 10.
Seven years into Guardiola’s reign as City boss, the Manchester fans were delighted with the quality of the display, which rivalled the former Barcelona boss’ Champions League final wins in charge of the Catalan giants in 2009 and 2011.
Madrid dashed City’s dreams at this stage last season with a remarkable comeback from two goals down in the dying seconds of the second leg. But this time, Carlo Ancelotti’s men had no answer to City’s excellence.
“I had the feeling we had the pain of last year in our stomach,” added Guardiola. City had the luck to get the chance this year, and they took it.
Were it not for Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, the defending champions would have received a hiding before half-time. But City won the war to move within one match of completing a transformation in the club’s fortunes since an Abu Dhabi-backed takeover in 2008.
The next blow to the Spanish giants was self-inflicted as Eder Militao deflected Manuel Akanki’s header past Courtois 15 minutes from time. Julian Alvarez also came off the bench to slot home from Phil Foden’s pass two minutes from the end.