Captain Bernardo Silva’s first-half red card proved critical as Vinicius Junior’s double helped perennial winners Real Madrid heap more Champions League misery on Manchester City by knocking Pep Guardiola’s side out of the competition for the third consecutive season.
City had a monumental task on their hands by aiming to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit at the last-16 stage, and though they started on the front foot with bags of attacking impetus, Silva’s first dismissal for City killed any hope of a remarkable comeback.
The Portuguese was standing on the goal-line when he leant into Vinicius’ shot with his arm, and after a lengthy check by the video assistant referee (VAR) and on-field official Clement Turpin reviewing the incident on the pitch-side monitor, Silva was shown a straight red and a penalty was awarded to the visitors.
Vinicius had seen a spot-kick saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma last week, but the Brazil international made no mistake this time, sending the Italy number one the wrong way to silence an expectant Etihad crowd.
Real could have settled the tie in the opening minute when the Bernabeu’s hat-trick hero Federico Valverde found himself through on goal, but was unable to get enough lift on a shot which dribbled through to Donnarumma.
City had opportunities to hit back in the tie but could not find a way past the towering Thibaut Courtois. Rayan Cherki shot straight at the Real goalkeeper, while Rodri’s rising effort was pushed over, and Erling Haaland’s first-time effort was brilliantly kept out by the Belgian.
Haaland finally turned in a chance on the stroke of half-time to give City a glimmer of hope, but they could not stage an epic second-half revival as Vinicius added a second late in injury time.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com