After scoring Manchester City’s second goal, Bernardo Silva celebrates with teammates Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, and Ruben Dias. Also shown is Erling Braut Haaland. Photo: Reuters
In front of a boisterous crowd at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, Manchester City silenced the defending champions Real Madrid 4-0 to go to the Champions League final for the second time in as many years. The overall score was 5-1 for Manchester City.
City took the lead against the 14-time defending European champions thanks to a pair of goals scored by Bernardo Silva in the first half. After the interval, an own goal scored by Eder Militao and a late goal from Julian Alvarez sealed the deal for Pep Guardiola’s side, who avenged their heartbreaking semi-final loss from the previous season.
City will now be heavy favorites to finally deliver the trophy Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mansour has wanted since buying the club in 2008, having lost to Chelsea in the final two years ago. Inter Milan stands in City’s way in the final.
Once Portuguese midfielder Silva curled a shot past Thibaut Courtois in the 23rd minute and then headed his side’s second in the 37th minute, City’s home unbeaten streak in the tournament was never in danger of being broken. City are now undefeated in 26 home matches in the competition overall.
Holders Real, who were looking to win the trophy for the sixth time in 10 seasons, were outplayed in the second half by a relentless City team that was closing in on a triple. The second half was practically a formality for Real.
When Kevin De Bruyne’s free kick was deflected by Militao in the 76th minute, there was no chance for Carlo Ancelotti’s team to come back from that deficit.
After going on as a late substitute for Erling Haaland, Alvarez capped off a night to remember for City with a precise finish to score the game-winning goal shortly after entering the match.