Result: Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid (4-2 on aggregate)
Date: 07 August 2020
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Real Madrid’s Champions League journey ended half way as they were dumped out of the elite competition following a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the second leg of their last 16 tie.
Chasing a fourth title under Zinedine Zidane, Los Blancos were without the suspended captain Sergio Ramos which would prove too costly considering the impact of his absence turned around the match in favor of the English side.
Pep Guardiola’s boys got off to the perfect start as Gabriel Jesus robbed vulnerable Raphael Varane in the box to set up Raheem Sterling, who slotted home from six yards.
City almost added a second on 18 minutes when Sterling slipped through on goal but Casemiro stepped up with a superb last-ditch tackle to deny the winger.
Ederson was tested at the other end minutes later as he kept out two strikes from in-form Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard in quick succession.
Real nearly gifted City another goal just before the halftime break when Thibaut Courtois’ poor clearance fell to De Bruyne, who picked out Foden on the edge of the box but the midfielder’s effort went inches wide.
There were a few scary moments for Guardiola’s men in the early stages of the second half, although Ederson was on hand to keep the hosts in front with Benzema lurking.
However, it was Varane who had a night to forget as the Real defender committed another error as Jesus intercepted a poor headed pass before poking beyond the on-rushing Courtois on 69 minutes.
The newly crowned LaLiga champions were desperate to get the goals and comeback to the game, but it was the blues who looked more likely to increse their advantage as Bernardo Silva and David Silva both went close in the final 15 minutes.
City were able to hamg on for a well deserved 2-1 win on the night and a 4-2 victory on aggregate to advance to the quarter-finals.
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