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Bernardo Silva tormented Real Madrid, scoring two of Manchester City’s three goals.
CNN –
Manchester City have a chance to lift their first-ever Champions League trophy after delivering a masterful performance against European giants Real Madrid on Wednesday.
In a semi-final emblematic of the changing of the guard in European football, City thrashed the 14-time winners of the elite European competition, winning 4-0 to secure a 5-1 aggregate win and a place in the final against Inter Milan to be secured on June 10th in Istanbul.
Two goals from Bernardo Silva in the first half put City in control of the second leg and several excellent saves from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois ensured the visitors were not completely embarrassed.
But Manuel Akanji’s second-half header and a late Julián Álvarez goal capped a miserable evening for Real.
City’s third goal was initially ruled by UEFA as an Éder Militão own goal, as Akanji’s shot caught the Real defender en route to the goal.
The victory means Pep Guardiola’s side are still on course to win a historic treble – matching fierce rivals Manchester United who won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the 1998/99 season .
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Manchester City are still on course to achieve a historic treble.
Silva scored City’s first goal after a free play by the home side. After a clever move down the right side of the field, Kevin De Bruyne slotted Silva into goal and the Portuguese star fired a shot just wide of the post at Courtois.
The petite midfielder, best known for his tricks with the ball at his feet, then doubled City’s lead with a header. Silva appeared in the penalty area and deflected a header into the net after Courtois İlkay Gündoğan saved.
Toni Kroos hit the bar with a dangerous shot but Real rarely threatened and City fans were able to enjoy the second half knowing their place in the final was all but secured.
But City wasn’t done yet Akanji and then Álvarez completed an absolute goal for Real.
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Silva’s brace gave the home side complete control of the game.
“We played against a rival who was better than us in that game – they overwhelmed us quite a bit,” Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal told the UEFA website.
Meanwhile, Silva said he “didn’t feel very good at all” after the first game.
“Tonight I had to try to do better for my teammates and the fans,” added Silva. “I’m very good with my head, hey? I’m very small, but I’m good with my head.”
“It’s a beautiful evening for us. We know it’s going to be tough, but beating this Real Madrid team 4-0 at home was wonderful. Hopefully we’ll win it [the final].”
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his side struggled to cope with City’s pressing strategy.
“City played better and deservedly got through,” Ancelotti told the UEFA website. “They really pressured us early in the game and that made it really difficult to build the game that we wanted.”