Molly Darlington/Reuters
Bernardo Silva tormented Real Madrid and scored two of Manchester City’s three goals.
CNN
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Manchester City have the opportunity to lift their first-ever Champions League trophy after delivering a masterful performance against European giants Real Madrid on Wednesday.
In an iconic changing-of-the-guard semi-final in European football, City tore through the winners of Europe’s elite competition 14 times, winning 4-0 to secure a 5-1 aggregate victory and a place in the final. against Inter Milan. on June 10 in Istanbul.
Two goals from Bernardo Silva in the first half put City in control of the second leg, with several superb saves from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois ensuring the visitors weren’t completely embarrassed.
However, a second-half header from Manuel Akanji and a late goal from Julián Álvarez capped off a miserable evening for Real.
City’s third goal was initially credited by UEFA as an own goal by Éder Militão as Akanji’s effort knocked the Real defender en route to the goal.
The win means Pep Guardiola’s side are still on track to claim a historic treble – equaling fierce rivals Manchester United’s success in winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the 1998 season. -99.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Manchester City are still on course for a historic treble.
Silva opened the scoring for City after a smooth move from the home side. After a clever exchange down the right, Kevin De Bruyne slid Silva through on goal and the Portuguese star crushed a post effort past Courtois.
The petite midfielder, who is best known for his trickery with the ball at his feet, then doubled City’s advantage with his header. Silva appeared in the box to guide a header into the net after Courtois saved to prevent İlkay Gündoğan.
Toni Kroos hit the bar with a venomous shot but Real rarely threatened and City fans could enjoy the second half knowing their place in the final was all but confirmed.
But City was not finished, with Akanji then Álvarez completing an absolute shellacking for Real.
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Silva’s brace gave the home side full control in the draw.
“We faced a rival who was better than us in this game – they got past us quite well,” Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal told UEFA’s website.
Meanwhile, Silva said he didn’t feel “very well at all after the first game”.
“Tonight I had to try to do better for my teammates and the fans,” Silva added. “I’m very good with my head, huh? I’m very small but I’m good with my head.
“It’s a great night for us. We know it would be tough, but beating this Real Madrid team 4-0 at home was wonderful. Hopefully we win it (the final).
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti says his side have struggled to deal with City’s pressing strategy.
“City played better and deserved to go through,” Ancelotti told UEFA’s website. “They really rushed us at the start of the game, and that made it really difficult to build the game we wanted.”