Goals: Manchester City – Real Madrid – Played on 05/17/ 2023
City Crushes Real Madrid to Reach Champions League Final
In a ruthless display of dominance, Manchester City crushed Real Madrid 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium, eliminating their chances of reaching the European Champions League final. Bernardo Silva starred for City, scoring two goals in the 23rd and 37th minutes. Real Madrid’s misery was compounded when Eder Militao inadvertently scored an own goal in the 76th minute, followed by a late strike from substitute Julia Alvarez in stoppage time.
First-Half Onslaught and Silva’s Brilliance
Manchester City began the match with a relentless offensive surge. In the 7th minute, Kevin De Bruyne played superb through ball to Erling Haaland, but the defense intervened just in time to deny City an early goal. Thibaut Courtois, the Real Madrid goalkeeper, produced a miraculous save in the 13th minute, deflecting Haaland’s header after a cross from Jack Grealish.
City continued to press forward, earning a free kick in the 19th minute that De Bruyne narrowly missed, as his shot passed by the near post. Courtois once again demonstrated his prowess by leaping to save Haaland’s deceptive header in the 21st minute. The breakthrough finally came for Manchester City in the 23rd minute when De Bruyne cleverly assisted Bernardo Silva, who calmly slotted the ball into the net from inside the penalty area.
Real Madrid’s Struggles and Silva’s Second Goal
Real Madrid’s attempts to respond were limited, with their first shot coming in the 35th minute when Toni Kroos struck a powerful shot that rattled the goalpost. City, however, swiftly added a second goal in the 37th minute. Eder Militao inadvertently blocked Ilkay Gundogan’s shot, only for the ball to fall to the feet of Portuguese winger Silva, who confidently headed it into the net for his second goal of the match.