Player Ratings: Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid (Aggregate: 5-1) – UEFA Champions League Semi-Final Second Leg

It’s a second-ever Champions League final for Manchester City, who produced one of their greatest ever European displays to dump out holders Real Madrid and set up a massive showpiece with Inter in Istanbul.

Erling Haaland should have scored after just a quarter of an hour, as Jack Grealish’s teasing cross landed right in his head and he couldn’t beat Thibaut Courtois from close range.

It was rinse and repeat halfway through the opening period, as Courtois again kept out a
Haaland header, but that doesn’t paint the whole picture; the Belgian stopper reacted with
superhuman speed to the effort, diving the opposite way to dumbfound the already-
celebrating Etihad.

They didn’t have to wait long to erupt with glee – Madrid again couldn’t cope with City’s
raiding runs, and Kevin de Bruyne’s delightful through ball found Bernardo Silva, who sent
the keeper the wrong way and sent the crowd into delirium.

[81'] #ManCity fans are chanting, "Istanbul, Istanbul we are coming!" 3-0 (Agg: 4-1). #UCL pic.twitter.com/rDCE0Y0qkF

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) May 17, 2023

Real Madrid had barely arrived at the party at that point, but reminded everyone of just
how dangerous they could be when Toni Kroos unleashed a rocket from 30 yards out, which
cannoned off the crossbar via Ederson’s fingertip.

But the Spanish sides didn’t heed the warnings of the opening half hour, and City scored
again; Ilkay Gundogan darted into the penalty area and was denied by a massive Eder
Militao block, but who was on hand but Bernardo Silva again to feather his header into the
top corner and have Manchester City dreaming of Istanbul.

They had to fight to retain their advantage and keep their concentration in the second half,
which Ederson certainly made sure of when he acrobatically tipped a David Alaba free-kick
over the bar.

The Haaland vs Courtois battle wasn’t limited to the first half, as a one-two between
Gundogan and the Norwegian created an opening, but the Madrid man was again there to
make the save and keep City’s main man on just the 52 goals for the season.

City found a third when a devilish delivery from De Bruyne’s cross was flicked by Manuel
Akanji to seal the semi-final deal once and for all despite a deflection off Eder Militao.

It wasn’t done there. Phil Foden hadn’t been on long when he picked up the ball in a central
area, and Julian Alvarez had been on even less time when he latched onto the Englishman’s
through ball and slotted comfortably into the bottom corner.

It was one of the biggest nights in the club’s history and the players delivered a huge
display, rightly being serenaded by the supporters at full-time, with those inside the Etihad
knowing that they will travel to Istanbul as favourites to claim a first Champions League
crown.

Here’s how we rated the players for Manchester City’s heroic victory over Real Madrid:

Ederson – 8.5

Produced his best goalkeeping of the season to keep a clean sheet and deny some of the
world’s top attackers.

Kyle Walker – 9.5

Comprehensively won his individual duel with Vinicius Junior. A masterclass for any full-back
in how to deal with a winger, and he did it against a world-class opponent.

Ruben Dias – 8

Aggressive off the ball and at his calmest on it.

Manuel Akanji – 8.5

Didn’t have a single problem against Rodrygo, locking down the left flank.

John Stones – 8.5

What a transformation. Such a composed display from the centre-back playing in midfield.

Rodri – 9

Unsung again, brilliant again. Every loose ball and tackle was his.

Ilkay Gundogan – 8.5

Genius in the tight spaces as always, and dropped in wherever needed.

Kevin De Bruyne – 7.5

Completely lost his legs towards the end, but had run riot with an assist in either half.

Bernardo Silva – 10 (MOTM)

Just an exceptional footballer. Two goals, everywhere on the pitch, a City hero.

Erling Haaland – 7.5

Did a decent job under extremely close inspection from Madrid’s defenders.

Jack Grealish – 8.5

Toyed with Dani Carvajal, creating chances at will.

Substitutes

Riyad Mahrez – 7

Took advantage of the game having been done already to express himself on the ball.

Phil Foden – 7

Terrific play to set up Alvarez’s goal.

Julian Alvarez – 8

Stayed ultra-composed to slide the ball past Courtois.