Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid (Agg 5-1): Bernardo Silva scores twice as City reach Champions League final - BBC Sport
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Champions League - Semi-finals - 2nd Leg
Man CityManchester City4Real MadridReal Madrid0

Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid (Agg 5-1): Bernardo Silva scores twice as City reach Champions League final

By Phil McNultyChief football writer at Etihad Stadium

Last updated on .From the section European Footballcomments4582

Bernardo Silva scores Manchester City's opener
Bernardo Silva has now scored 12 goals for Man City in this competition - 10 of those have come in the knockout phase, including each of the last eight.

Manchester City delivered a relentless performance laced with outstanding quality to overpower holders Real Madrid and reach the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul.

City have lost two previous semi-finals to Real but they made no mistake here at a joyous Etihad Stadium to now stand one step away from claiming the trophy that has always stayed tantalisingly out of reach for Pep Guardiola's team.

And their display in a magical first half, in particular, will live long in the memory as the masters of this tournament were left bewildered by City's brilliance.

It maintained a seemingly unstoppable march towards a treble of Champions League, Premier League - which can be won with victory at home to Chelsea on Sunday - and the FA Cup, where they play Manchester United in the final at Wembley.

Real keeper Thibaut Courtois performed heroics to save two Erling Haaland headers early in the first half but he was powerless to stop Bernardo Silva's close-range finish after 23 minutes, the Portugal midfielder scoring a looping header for the second eight minutes before half-time.

City faced the occasional threats from Real after the break, Ederson saving well from David Alaba and Karim Benzema, but they were no match and when Manuel Akanji's header deflected in off Eder Militao 14 minutes from time the celebrations started.

Substitute Julian Alvarez then wrapped up the dominant win with a late strike after latching onto a brilliant Phil Foden pass.

City will play Inter on 10 June as they look to win the Champions League for the first time.

Who can stop Manchester City?

Pain of last season pushed City to win - Guardiola

City have put themselves in a magnificent position to become only the second English club to win the Treble first claimed by Manchester United in 1999.

City look to have finally broken Arsenal in the Premier League title race and will be overwhelming favourites to beat Inter Milan, although the desire to keep this feat for themselves will provide fuel and inspiration for United in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Guardiola's side have somehow found ways to miss out on the Champions League in the past but the addition of Haaland's sheer menace as well as more defensive steel makes it difficult to see how they will not find a way past surprise finalists Inter.

City made a Real side full of experience and quality look several classes beneath them in a first half that will be among the finest this stadium has seen, the dazzling interplay, fierce intensity and pace giving them a two-goal advantage that would have been far more but for the excellence of Courtois.

This night had a special atmosphere even before kick-off and victory will taste even sweeter after the pain of last season's loss at the same stage, when City were almost in the final only to concede two stoppage-time goals and eventually go out.

The Champions League has inflicted various levels of anguish on City despite their domestic dominance but if they perform anything like this in Istanbul it is hard to see an efficient but unspectacular Inter side having enough to trouble them.

End of an era for Real?

Carlo Ancelotti looks on as Manchester City celebrate
Carlo Ancelotti's future as Real Madrid boss is uncertain

Real should never be written off with their history of success but there was an end-of-an-era feel about the manner of this defeat.

The side who put Liverpool and Chelsea out of the Champions League with the minimum of fuss looked its age here as City ran the holders ragged.

Luka Modric was taken off and replaced by Antonio Rudiger just after the hour, the 37-year-old's future at the Bernabeu uncertain, while even Karim Benzema, 35, was unable to pose his usual threat.

Real will refuse to stand still and the way they were outclassed here may only speed up the rate of change, with England's teenage sensation Jude Bellingham looking set to arrive to supplement the next generation midfielders alongside Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Whether the great Carlo Ancelotti remains in charge will also be a point of debate with change often in the air if Real go a season without winning either La Liga or the Champions League.

Whatever the outcome, the Italian manager keeps his place in history as the only coach to win this tournament four times.

Player of the match

Bernardo SilvaBernardo Silva

with an average of 8.76

Manchester City

  1. Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva
    Average rating

    8.76

  2. Squad number10Player nameGrealish
    Average rating

    8.29

  3. Squad number2Player nameWalker
    Average rating

    8.22

  4. Squad number19Player nameÁlvarez
    Average rating

    8.09

  5. Squad number17Player nameDe Bruyne
    Average rating

    7.96

  6. Squad number8Player nameGündogan
    Average rating

    7.93

  7. Squad number16Player nameRodri
    Average rating

    7.92

  8. Squad number25Player nameAkanji
    Average rating

    7.80

  9. Squad number47Player nameFoden
    Average rating

    7.80

  10. Squad number5Player nameStones
    Average rating

    7.75

  11. Squad number31Player nameEderson
    Average rating

    7.65

  12. Squad number3Player nameRúben Dias
    Average rating

    7.64

  13. Squad number9Player nameHaaland
    Average rating

    7.50

  14. Squad number26Player nameMahrez
    Average rating

    7.30

Real Madrid

  1. Squad number1Player nameCourtois
    Average rating

    7.12

  2. Squad number8Player nameKroos
    Average rating

    4.45

  3. Squad number4Player nameAlaba
    Average rating

    4.26

  4. Squad number12Player nameCamavinga
    Average rating

    4.19

  5. Squad number2Player nameDani Carvajal
    Average rating

    4.18

  6. Squad number3Player nameÉder Militão
    Average rating

    4.10

  7. Squad number10Player nameModric
    Average rating

    4.06

  8. Squad number21Player nameRodrygo
    Average rating

    3.84

  9. Squad number20Player nameVinícius Júnior
    Average rating

    3.84

  10. Squad number15Player nameValverde
    Average rating

    3.81

  11. Squad number22Player nameRüdiger
    Average rating

    3.74

  12. Squad number11Player nameAsensio
    Average rating

    3.70

  13. Squad number17Player nameLucas Vázquez
    Average rating

    3.56

  14. Squad number9Player nameBenzema
    Average rating

    3.52

  15. Squad number18Player nameTchouaméni
    Average rating

    3.50

  16. Squad number19Player nameDani Ceballos
    Average rating

    3.50

Line-ups

Man City

Formation 3-2-4-1

  • 31Ederson
  • 2Walker
  • 3Rúben DiasBooked at 50mins
  • 25Akanji
  • 8GündoganBooked at 62minsSubstituted forMahrezat 79'minutes
  • 17De BruyneSubstituted forFodenat 84'minutes
  • 5Stones
  • 16Rodri
  • 9HaalandSubstituted forÁlvarezat 89'minutes
  • 10GrealishBooked at 90mins
  • 20Bernardo Silva

Substitutes

  • 4Phillips
  • 14Laporte
  • 18Ortega
  • 19Álvarez
  • 21Gómez
  • 26Mahrez
  • 33Carson
  • 47Foden
  • 80Palmer
  • 82Lewis

Real Madrid

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Courtois
  • 2Carvajal RamosBooked at 55minsSubstituted forVázquezat 80'minutes
  • 3Militão
  • 4Alaba
  • 12CamavingaBooked at 75minsSubstituted forTchouaméniat 79'minutes
  • 15Valverde
  • 8KroosSubstituted forAsensioat 70'minutes
  • 10ModricSubstituted forRüdigerat 63'minutes
  • 21RodrygoSubstituted forCeballosat 79'minutes
  • 9Benzema
  • 20Vinícius Júnior

Substitutes

  • 5Vallejo
  • 6Nacho
  • 7E Hazard
  • 11Asensio
  • 13Lunin
  • 16Odriozola
  • 17Vázquez
  • 18Tchouaméni
  • 19Ceballos
  • 22Rüdiger
  • 23Mendy
  • 24Mariano
Referee:
Szymon Marciniak
Attendance:
52,313

Match Stats

Home TeamMan CityAway TeamReal Madrid
Possession
Home59%
Away41%
Shots
Home16
Away7
Shots on Target
Home8
Away3
Corners
Home7
Away3
Fouls
Home16
Away14

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Manchester City 4, Real Madrid 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Manchester City 4, Real Madrid 0.

  3. Post update

    Foul by Manuel Akanji (Manchester City).

  4. Post update

    Marco Asensio (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Jack Grealish (Manchester City).

  6. Post update

    Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  7. Goal!

    Goal! Manchester City 4, Real Madrid 0. Julián Álvarez (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Phil Foden with a through ball.

  8. Booking

    Jack Grealish (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  9. Post update

    Foul by Jack Grealish (Manchester City).

  10. Post update

    Éder Militão (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  11. Post update

    Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Post update

    Foul by David Alaba (Real Madrid).

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester City. Julián Álvarez replaces Erling Haaland.

  14. Post update

    Foul by Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).

  15. Post update

    Marco Asensio (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester City. Phil Foden replaces Kevin De Bruyne.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City).

  18. Post update

    Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  19. Post update

    Attempt saved. Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Lucas Vázquez.

  20. Post update

    Attempt saved. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the centre of the goal.

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4582 comments

  • Comment posted by Bricksnmortar, at 15:55 16 May 2023

    I'm not a City supporter, but I am a fan of their football. Guardiola changes players. He makes them better. He puts teams together that play with a wonderful cohesion. I agree that he should be expected to win the CL, (Although several managers have failed with all the money at PSG), but I think his credentials are undeniable. Most managers couldn't win the EPL with a billion pounds.

    • Reply posted by Tristan Hugh-Farqhuar, at 16:08 16 May 2023

      Tristan Hugh-Farqhuar replied:
      Nobody can seriously think that Klopp, Ancelotti, Wenger, Mourinho even Pochettino would not have won at least as much as Pep has since taking over at City.

  • Comment posted by carborundorum70, at 17:03 16 May 2023

    I am an LFC fan, so no love lost here, but the suggestion that he has been successful because of the wealth of the clubs is silly. If City had Arteta, Silva, Hodgson, ten Hag, to name but a few, they wouldn't be playing the same sensational football week in week out. Rich, succesful clubs hire him because he is exceptionally good.

    • Reply posted by The truth by fact, at 19:36 16 May 2023

      The truth by fact replied:
      Thank you.

  • Comment posted by IM, at 15:39 16 May 2023

    He's right.
    Many teams around the world are playing the Man city way of playing football. Possession game, high pressing defenders and more importantly making the full width of football pitch with wide attacking wingers. Football thisway is much more interesting to watch than scoring an odd goal and parking the bus.
    As a manager this guy has certainly changed the philosophy of football.

    • Reply posted by User0316904008, at 15:40 16 May 2023

      User0316904008 replied:
      Needs to win the CL with City to be taken seriously IMO

  • Comment posted by Nolberto Goaliola, at 15:49 16 May 2023

    Not a city fan but I've always thought Guardiola spoke and carried himself well. He seems like a mature chap and when he talks he invariably makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for many of the prem managers over the years. He never seems to get in the face of his opponents or the officials. Some of the others could learn a thing or two from Pep.

    • Reply posted by One Step Beyond, at 15:51 16 May 2023

      One Step Beyond replied:
      Really ?

      Doesn’t even celebrate a goal in the faces of opponent players warming up then !!!

  • Comment posted by Holster, at 15:36 16 May 2023

    Never done it with a small budget though

    • Reply posted by NGOK, at 16:01 16 May 2023

      NGOK replied:
      Rochdale never came calling!

  • Comment posted by Gary McH-P, at 17:39 16 May 2023

    Big Sam is just as exceptional according to Big Sam!

  • Comment posted by Men of Glatten FC, at 15:58 16 May 2023

    He's spot on. Exceptional manager. Exceptional team. He used to fixate on the perfect team and tinkered accordingly - sometimes to the team's detriment. This year he has just let them do their thing and they are looking unstoppable. They've tightened up at the back - become even more fluid from back to front AND added a goal machine who is only 22. Scary.Treble on.
    A Scouse Red.

    • Reply posted by lawman, at 17:01 16 May 2023

      lawman replied:
      Very Modest fellow that Pep.
      He can’t really say what he has said until he wins the big one, Champions league.
      Even Roberto Di Matteo won the champions league 🏆 but he didn’t go around telling everyone he was exceptional. He got the chop a few months later for his reward..

  • Comment posted by RedDevil4Life, at 15:48 16 May 2023

    As much as it pains me to say, Pep is an exceptional manager.

    • Reply posted by BeRealfun, at 15:50 16 May 2023

      BeRealfun replied:
      Over thinker 🤔

  • Comment posted by vanlargertop, at 16:44 16 May 2023

    The money spent is obscene.

    • Reply posted by all I want is a level playing field, at 16:47 16 May 2023

      all I want is a level playing field replied:
      Yet others...including our ever so quiet neighbours have outspent City over the past decade...as have Chelsea

  • Comment posted by User0316904008, at 15:44 16 May 2023

    Lots of salty fans on here. And I'm not a fan of any Premier League team per se. My club is stuck in League One.

    Hope City do it this year.

    • Reply posted by AFCDale, at 15:50 16 May 2023

      AFCDale replied:
      I'm a fan of what is now a NL team.

      Perish the thought that some people have opinions on football as a whole and this club just happens to go against almost all of them.

  • Comment posted by Beeb Account, at 17:03 16 May 2023

    No Bob Paisley obviously but he does what he can with the meagre funds available to him.

    • Reply posted by Dravid, at 17:37 16 May 2023

      Dravid replied:
      Pep is so much better. Your talking about someone that has changed football, his tactics, inverted full backs, pressing, playing out from the back the list is endless.what did paisley do apart from put together a better team on mud heap pictures. Mentioning paisley over Fergus is also an insult

  • Comment posted by 12thMan, at 16:12 16 May 2023

    The man is well-spoken and carries himself well. His man management is on point and clearly able to handle all those egos in his teams. Yes, he has managed teams that have had massive financial support and influence but he has performed well. We can't say that for every "top tier" manager who have found themselves managing similar teams.

    • Reply posted by Andy Steen, at 17:21 16 May 2023

      Andy Steen replied:
      This is a bbc hys don`t come on here talking sense!

  • Comment posted by SportGuru, at 15:28 16 May 2023

    Some bitter Manu fans on here already. He’s a great manager, his record is exceptional. Money talks, we all know that, Manu aren’t so great now that they can’t outspend everyone else. Here’s hoping they get their treble!

    • Reply posted by onlysaying, at 15:57 16 May 2023

      onlysaying replied:
      Have a word with yourself la, it's not just Manchester United fans.
      What next, Citeh are the neutrals favourite?
      But well done you anyway for 'aving a go ;)

  • Comment posted by woodfromthetrees, at 22:33 17 May 2023

    Imagine being a city fan all your life ( I`m not for the record ). You`ve watched your team plod through season after season for years ,even seen your team be relegated to the third tier all the while their nearest neighbours are winning league after league with an odd champions league thrown in. Now is City`s time and good luck to them...what a team...they deserve everything they achieve.........

    • Reply posted by BigHelen, at 22:39 17 May 2023

      BigHelen replied:
      Yes, some dark days indeed. One of my foremen was a red and would give me stick everyday. CTID