Captain Bernardo Silva’s first-half red card proved crucial, as Vinicius Junior’s double assisted perennial winners Real Madrid in heaping more Champions League agony on Manchester City, putting Pep Guardiola’s side out of the competition for the third straight season.
City faced a massive job in overcoming a 3-0 first-leg deficit at the last 16 stage, and while they began on the front foot with plenty of attacking energy, Silva’s first dismissal for City ended any hopes of a miraculous recovery.
The Portuguese was standing on the goal line when he leant into Vinicius’ shot with his arm, and after a lengthy review of the incident on the pitch-side monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR) and on-field official Clement Turpin, Silva was shown a straight red card, and the visitors were awarded a penalty.
Vinicius had a spot-kick saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma the week before, but the Brazil international made no mistake this time, sending the Italian number one the wrong way to hush an expectant Etihad crowd.
Real could have sealed the tie in the first minute when hat-trick hero Federico Valverde found himself on goal but was unable to generate enough lift on a shot that dribbled through to Donnarumma.
The city had opportunities to score but was unable to beat Thibaut Courtois. Rayan Cherki shot straight at him, while Rodri’s rising effort was pushed over, and Erling Haaland’s first-time effort was brilliantly kept out by the Belgian.
Haaland’s chance on the stroke of half-time gave City hope, but they were unable to stage an epic second-half revival as Vinicius added a second late in injury time.
