Faith Nyasuguta
Manchester City produced a stunning performance to beat Real Madrid 4-0 in their Champions League semi-final second leg at the Etihad.
Bernardo Silva hit a brace to put Pep Guardiola’s side in control before an own goal from Eder Militao and a late Julian Alvarez strike made it 5-1 on aggregate. With the performance, Inter Milan await in the final in Istanbul on June 10 for the Citizens.
In front of a thronging Etihad crowd, Thibaut Courtois pulled off his first world-class save after 13 minutes to deny Erling Haaland’s header following a pinpoint Jack Grealish cross. Courtois was on hand yet again to deny Haaland in the 22nd minute.
The Norwegian rose highest to power a header that looked destined for the back of the net, but Courtois somehow got across to make a stunning save.
Despite this, Pep Guardiola’s side made the breakthrough just a minute later courtesy of Bernardo Silva. Kevin De Bruyne slid Silva in with an incisive pass and the Portuguese attacker smashed his effort past Courtois.
Toni Kroos came close to levelling the score shortly afterwards when his vicious effort from distance rattled the crossbar.
But Silva was on hand to score his and City’s second of the game after 37 minutes. Ilkay Gundogan’s effort was saved by Courtois and Silva was on hand to delicately loop his header into the back of the net.
Ederson was called into the action early in the second half when he pulled off a sublime save to keep out David Alaba’s free kick.
City came again though and made it 3-0 15 minutes from time. De Bruyne’s free kick was met by Manuel Akanji and his effort deflected off Eder Militao and into the back of the net.
Julian Alvarez put the icing on the cake with a goal in stoppage time to make it 4-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate. Substitute Phil Foden played a superb pass into the path of Alvarez who calmly squeezed it past Courtois and into the corner.
