Manchester City Ousts Real Madrid From Champions League, Reaches Quarterfinals

Manchester City is headed to the Champions League quarterfinals–thanks in large part to Raphael Varane.

The Real Madrid defender committed a pair of gaffes deep in his own end, both of which led to goals in Man City’s 2-1 win over the Spanish champions and cemented a 4-2 aggregate triumph in the round of 16. City had won by the same scoreline in Madrid in the first leg more than five months ago, and with goals by Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, it’s onto the eight-team mini-tournament in Lisbon, Portugal, that begins next week.

Both sides were without some key contributors, with Man City still without injured striker Sergio Aguero. Real Madrid was missing a Sergio of its own, as center back and captain Sergio Ramos served a suspension for the red card he received at the end of the first leg at the Bernabeu, where Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne scored the away goals that had Man City in command at the midway point. His absence proved to be huge, with Real Madrid looking shaky in the back and lacking the solidity that was the backbone for its run to La Liga’s title.

The first threat of the day came from Man City on the counter in the seventh minute, resulting in De Bruyne having what appeared to be a clear look from 25 yards, only to have his blast blocked out for a corner.

Man City managed to pad its aggregate lead soon after. Jesus applied high pressure to Varane, who coughed it up deep in his own half. The Brazilian fed a wide-open Sterling at the goal-mouth, where he easily redirected home to make it 1-0 on the day, 3-1 on aggregate in the ninth minute.

Sterling nearly had a second goal nine minutes later, knifing through Real Madrid defenders and setting up to shoot before Casemiro swooped in at the last instant with a sliding tackle to block Sterling from putting a chance on frame.

Real Madrid finally tested Ederson in goal in the 21st minute through Karim Benzema, whose 18-yard blast from the edge of the box forced a diving save and stung the goalkeeper’s palms. 

Moments later, Eden Hazard fired on goal, with his left-footed, low shot from 20 yards being smothered by the Brazilian goalkeeper.

Real Madrid pulled one back in the 28th minute through Benzema, who powered a header home off a cross from Rodrygo to make it 1-1 on the day and 3-2 on aggregate. That left Real Madrid a goal away from pulling even on total goals and away goals. The goal was Benzema’s 65th career tally in the Champions League, a total that trails only Cristiano Ronaldo (130), Lionel Messi (114) and Raul (71) on the all-time scoring list (and is one more than Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski).

Man City attempted to rebuild its two-goal edge, and it nearly did in the 37th minute. After Ilkay Gundogan forced a Casemiro turnover in midfield, De Bruyne cleverly fed Joao Cancelo down the left, and the fullback’s low, bouncing shot forced Thibaut Courtois to parry it into a dangerous area, though Man City couldn’t capitalize.

A Courtois giveaway in the back nearly gifted Man City another goal, with Phil Foden narrowly missing after the turnover and letting the goalkeeper off easy.

Just like he opened the first half with a goal, Sterling nearly did the same less than two minutes into the second. This opportunity came in a more traditional manner, running onto a De Bruyne through ball and having his chance put into the side-netting on a deflection.

It was another gaffe in the back from Varane that gift-wrapped Man City its insurance goal. The Frenchman’s ill-advised header toward Courtois wasn’t hit with nearly enough power, allowing Jesus to stride in and finish to make it 2-1 on the day, 4-2 on aggregate.

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Here were the lineups for both teams:

Man City will face either Lyon next after the French side eliminated Juventus on the away goal tiebreaker after a 2-2 aggregate draw. The final eight will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, where the remaining sides will play single-elimination matches between Aug. 12 and 23 to determine the European champion.