Real Madrid edges Manchester City to reach Champions League final
Real Madrid will play for its 11th European championship after ousting Manchester City 1-0 in their UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg on Wednesday Real Madrid will face city rival Atletico Madrid, which advanced to the May 28 title game in Milan by ousting Bayern Munich on Tuesday, setting up a rematch of the 2014 final won by Real Madrid in extra time.
Gareth Bale forced an own goal off Fernando in the 20th minute for the only tally of the two-legged tie, with his tight-angled blast taking a deflection off the Brazilian and beating Joe Hart, who was so superb in the 0-0 draw in the first leg. The goal put Real Madrid in the driver's seat, although an away-goal response from Manchester City would have tilted the balance back in the favor of the visiting English side. The Citizens nearly got one through Fernandinho in the 45th minute, with his clean blast hitting off the outside of the post.
Watch the two key moments of the first half below:
The goal followed a pair of bad news items for Manchester City to start the day. The first was expected, as Cristiano Ronaldo returned from injury and went straight into Zindedine Zidane's starting lineup. Man City suffered a blow soon after the opening whistle, as with captain and key center back Vincent Kompany was forced off in the 10th minute with what appeared to be the re-aggravation of a leg muscle injury. He was replaced by Elaquim Mangala.
The second half ensued without many clear-cut chances, although Bale did hit the post. What followed was unique, as Ronaldo (after being flagged for offside), tried to slam dunk a lofted cross into the goal after it was too high for him to head in.
Sergio Aguero, quiet for much of the two-legged tie, had a chance to send City through, with his 20-yard dipping blast beating Keylor Navas but going just over the crossbar.
