Manchester City defeated defending champions Real Madrid (5-1 aggregate) with a tenacious display packed with exceptional talent to advance to the Champions League final against Inter Milan at Istanbul. Real had defeated City in both of their previous semi-final meetings, but they made no mistakes here at a boisterous Etihad Stadium to go one step closer to winning the trophy that has eluded Pep Guardiola's squad for so long.
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was helpless to stop Bernardo Silva from scoring from close range after 23 minutes. The Portugal midfielder added a second header eight minutes before halftime. The celebrations began when Manuel Akanji's header was deflected in off Eder Militao with 14 minutes remaining. The resounding victory was then secured by substitute Julian Alvarez, who capitalised on a superb Phil Foden ball to score a late goal.
On June 10, City will take on Inter in an attempt to win the Champions League for the first time. City continues its seemingly inexorable march towards a treble of the Champions League, Premier League, and the FA Cup in which they will face Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday and if they defeat Chelsea at home to win the league.