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Real Madrid eliminated Manchester City from the UEFA Champions League with a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory in the round of 16, as Vinicius Junior starred with a brace.
City’s hopes of a comeback were effectively ended early on after captain Bernardo Silva was sent off in the first half, conceding a penalty that Vinicius converted.
The result marks the third consecutive season that Pep Guardiola’s side has been eliminated from the competition by Real Madrid.
Read more: Champions League: Valverde hat-trick helps Real Madrid thrash Man City 3-0
Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, City began brightly at the Etihad Stadium, showing attacking intent in a bid to overturn the deficit.
However, the turning point came when Silva handled the ball on the goal line while attempting to block a Vinicius effort. Following a VAR review and consultation with referee Clement Turpin, a red card was issued and a penalty awarded.
According to the BBC, the decision all but ended City’s chances of staging a remarkable comeback.
Vinicius, who had missed from the spot in the first leg, made no mistake this time, calmly converting to put the tie beyond doubt.
Real Madrid nearly extended their lead earlier when Federico Valverde broke through on goal, but his effort lacked power and was comfortably collected by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
City continued to push forward but were repeatedly denied by Thibaut Courtois. Efforts from Rayan Cherki and Rodriwere kept out, while Erling Haaland saw a close-range attempt brilliantly saved.
Haaland eventually found the net on the stroke of half-time, offering City a glimmer of hope.
However, any thoughts of a second-half revival faded as Real controlled proceedings, with Vinicius adding his second goal deep into injury time to seal a comprehensive victory.
Once again, the Spanish giants underlined their dominance in Europe, extending City’s frustrations in the competition.
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