Real Madrid progressed to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after beating Manchester City 2–1 at the Etihad, with Bernardo Silva sent off in the first half.
![Man City 1-2 Real Madrid [1-5 agg]: Júnior stars as Madrid cruise into Champions League quarter-finals](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wWGwXm34wXPeBE5pCUKmYg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/fromthespot_articles_398/7bfca398e13a90728368ecd809f21eda)
A brace from Vinícius Júnior, with goals either side of half-time, proved enough for Madrid to see off City following their commanding 3–0 win in the first leg.
As it happened
Pep Guardiola’s side started strongly and looked for an early breakthrough, but it was the away side who created the clearer chances.
The game turned on a VAR review, which handed Madrid both the opening goal and a red card for Bernardo Silva, who was judged to have handled the ball on the line to deny a certain goal.
Júnior stepped up and calmly slotted home the resulting penalty past Gianluigi Donnarumma, giving Madrid a commanding lead in the tie.
Manchester City responded before half-time, with Erling Haaland finishing at the back post to hand the hosts a lifeline heading into the break.
Guardiola’s side continued to search for a way back into the game in the second half, but Madrid remained clinical. Júnior added his second of the night, calmly finishing to put the result beyond doubt.
The victory secured Madrid’s place in the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of FC Bayern Munich or Atalanta, with Bayern holding a commanding advantage.
City will now turn their attention to domestic matters, with a Carabao Cup clash against Arsenal on the horizon as they look to secure silverware this season.
Immediate Reaction: Manchester City 1-2 Real Madrid
Manchester City 1-2 Real Madrid (Vinícius Júnior x2). Through to the next round… This is the immediate reaction to the peculiar win. Get more: Player ratings, interviews and a podcast.
A 3-0 lead rarely feels so uncomfortable, but Real Madrid would have to maintain or extend this scoreline against Manchester City in order to go through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Thiago Pitarch would continue his run in the line-up, joined by star man Fede Valverde and Arda Güler. Kylian Mbappé returned to the bench. Fede Valverde captained the team.
Manchester City started with intent, coming very close just minutes in with a shot off of the post – but nerves were cooled when Real Madrid were awarded a penalty. First, Vinícius Júnior hit the post, before he would have another effort intentional blocked by the rm of Bernardo Silva seconds later. The Portuguese was sent off, and the Brazilian sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 1-0, and four on aggregate. Manchester City did pull one back before half-time through Erling Haaland, but they would need three in the second half just to have a chance at progressing. 1-1 at the break.
The second half would be a strange affair. Jeremy Doku scored an offside goal before Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Fede Valverde would have goals of their own disallowed for offside. Even ten men, Manchester City looked the slightly better side – but with such a big lead, Real Madrid were never concerned. The game was never really in full flow, though – and as Kylian Mbappé came on to return to action, it became a bit wishy-washy. This was of course in Madrid’s favour, and they almost managed to seal the win when Vinícius Júnior walked the ball into the net, before another offside flag prevented the goal. The Brazilian would get his winner, though – finishing off a lovely cross to hand Pep Guardiola another loss against Los Blancos. Full time: 2-1 to Real Madrid, and 5-1 on aggregate. What did you think about this game?
💥 Vinicius double and taunts: Real through, City out 1-2, Guardiola gutted 😢
Manchester City did not manage the feat; in fact, Real Madrid advanced to the next round after a great match at the Etihad Stadium, ending 1-2 for the Blancos. The qualification discussion was essentially closed after 20 minutes when Bernardo Silva received a red card for a handball on the goal line, paving the way for Real Madrid.
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The match saw the first goal by Vinicius from a penalty, with a provocation to which Haaland responded, also in the first half. After a slew of disallowed goals on both sides, Real Madrid won the match again thanks to Vinicius with a brace on the last useful ball. Fourth elimination in five meetings with Real for Manchester City.
In the quarterfinals, for Arbeloa, Bayern Munich awaits to formalize the qualification against Atalanta.
🔥 Vinicius Brace: Real wins again. Guardiola😢
At the 93rd minute, Vinicius scores again, entering the penalty area and scoring like a center forward.
Pep Guardiola’s eloquent reaction, disheartened after Vinicius’ goal.
❌ Courtois goes KO: Lunin in. Mbappé in
A significant return for Real Madrid as Kylian Mbappé comes back at the 69th minute after a month of absence. The Frenchman, booed by the Etihad, returns to the field to regain minutes.
Changes in Real Madrid as Courtois did not return to the field at the restart of the match.
A physical problem for the Belgian of a muscular nature, and Lunin takes his place.
🧨 Haaland always scores: mind-blowing numbers 🤯
In a match that has nothing more to say in terms of qualification, Erling Haaland scores. Doku’s breakthrough action, a rebound, and Haaland opportunistically puts it past Courtois.
Goal number 57 in 58 matches for the Norwegian, tying Muller and becoming the 7th all-time in the Champions.
🟥 Real penalty and red card for Bernardo Silva: Vinicius scores
Chaos in Manchester with Real Madrid’s action continuing with Vinicius hitting the post and a Brazilian opportunity stopped by Bernardo Silva with his arm. Everything stopped for offside, but after a long VAR check, the decision that freezes City: penalty and red card for Bernardo Silva.
Vinicius takes the penalty, deceives Donnarumma, and celebrates by provoking City fans.
Guardiola is very nervous, booked by Turpin.
💥 Valverde immediately close to scoring: what a chance! Cherki’s thrill
At the 2nd minute, City’s response: Cherki just inside the area hits hard, and Courtois saves. What a start!
On the first offensive approach, City immediately risks the final KO blow. Vinicius copies and pastes the second goal from Bernabeu, but Valverde, alone against Donnarumma, misses by placing it into the goalkeeper’s arms.