Manchester City dominate Real Madrid to reach Champions League final
Posted by  badge Boss on May 18, 2023 - 05:20PM
Bernardo Silva scored twice to fire Manchester City to a place in the Champions League final (UEFA via Getty)

have reached the final following a dominant 4-0 win over on Wednesday evening.

Two first-half goals from Bernardo Silva handed ’s side a deserved lead at the Etihad Stadium as Madrid were completely overwhelmed by the Premier League champions in the opening 45 minutes.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side showed signs of improvement in the second half but the closest they came to pulling a goal back was through David Alaba’s long-range free kick, which forced a fine save from Ederson.

Manuel Akanji put the tie beyond doubt with 14 minutes remaining as he met Kevin De Bruyne’s free kick and his header deflected off Eder Militao to beat Thibaut Courtois.

Julian Alvarez then rounded off City’s brilliant display with a goal in injury time as he met Phil Foden’s pass to finish low past the Madrid goalkeeper.

Guardiola’s men will now play Inter, , at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium on June 10.

The win against Madrid means City remain on course to win the treble this season as they are now favourites to retain their Premier League title, while they will play Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3.

Pep Guardiola has reached his second Champions League final with Manchester City (AP)

The second leg of City’s semi final against Madrid was finely poised following a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu last week but Guardiola’s side started the second leg with an intensity that Ancelotti’s men were unable to cope with.

Courtois produced a brilliant save to deny Erling Haaland his 53rd goal of the season but the Madrid goalkeeper was unable to keep out Silva’s opener in the 23rd minute after the Portugal international met a neat through ball from De Bruyne.

Manuel Akanji scored City’s third goal with 14 minutes remaining (Getty)
Julian Alvarez completed City’s 4-0 win in injury time (PA)

Silva then doubled City’s lead in the 37th minute as he followed up on Ilkay Gundogan’s blocked shot to send a perfectly guided header over Alaba who was on Madrid’s goalline.

Madrid marginally improved after the break and saw more of the ball but Akanji put the game beyond any doubt with his goal in the 76th minute.

Alvarez, who came on as a late substitute, completed the rout to put City one step closer to winning their first-ever Champions League trophy.

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