Manchester City produced a sensational performance to blow Real Madrid away with an emphatic 4-0 win to set up a Champions League final date with Inter Milan, Sportivationng.com reports.
Bernardo Silva’s first-half double put City in control against the 14-time European champions, while an own goal by Eder Militao after the break and a late fourth from Julian Alvarez sealed the deal for Pep Guardiola’s side as they avenged last year’s bitter semi-final loss.
With Inter Milan awaiting in the final, City will now be huge favourites to finally deliver the trophy Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mansour has craved since buying the club in 2008, having lost to Chelsea two years ago.
City are now unbeaten in 26 home matches in the competition and that run was never in danger once Portuguese midfielder Silva whipped a shot past Thibaut Courtois in the 23rd minute and then headed his side’s second in the 37th.
The Etihad ERUPTS as Bernardo Silva places it expertly in the near post 🎯
Incredible start by Man City
📺 Watch the #UCL live here: https://t.co/qbeliIQiRA pic.twitter.com/p5D9ZcpIPh
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 17, 2023
The second half was almost a formality as holders Real, bidding to win the trophy for a sixth time in 10 seasons, were outplayed by a relentless City side closing in on a treble.
Éder Militão cannot catch a break, he bundles it into the back of his own net 😬
Man City are 10 minutes away from a second #UCL final in three seasons 👀 pic.twitter.com/LX6d7pZaVR
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 17, 2023
And there was no way back for Carlo Ancelotti’s team when Kevin De Bruyne’s free kick flicked off Militao in the 76th minute.
Alvarez put the icing on the cake of a memorable night for City with a clinical finish after coming on as a late replacement for Erling Haaland.
With their place in the Istanbul showpiece secured, City can win their fifth Premier League title in six seasons this weekend and they also have an FA Cup final to look forward to.
