Friday. 29.03.2024

Manchester City earned a deserved 2-1 win over Real Madrid to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on Friday, triumphing 4-2 on aggregate as the competition resumed.

Pep Guardiola’s side eliminated the record 13-time European champions thanks to a pair of Raphael Varane mistakes which led to goals for Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus.

Olympique Lyon also progressed despite a 2-1 defeat by Juventus, going through on away goals with the aggregate score tied at 2-2, and will face City next Saturday in Lisbon.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for the Italians but Memphis Depay’s penalty ensured Lyon would reach the last eight.

Phil Foden was handed a surprise start in Manchester City’s attack in place of Riyad Mahrez as the Champions League resumed behind closed doors following a four-month suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Real Madrid looked disorientated from the start of the last 16-second leg clash, taking risks at the back and unable to find the form they showed domestically as they won 10 matches in a row to lift La Liga.

City were on top and took the lead in the ninth minute after a huge error by Raphael Varane, who was caught in possession by Gabriel Jesus, who squared for Raheem Sterling to finish from close range.

07 August 2020, England, Manchester: Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium. Photo: Nick Potts/dpa.Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring his second goal. Photo: Nick Potts/dpa.

The English winger came close again with another strike shortly afterwards, while Ederson denied Karim Benzema and then Eden Hazard.

However the Brazilian goalkeeper could not stop Benzema after 28 minutes when the forward continued his splendid season by heading home Rodrygo Goes' cross.

Thibaut Courtois made a fine save to deny Jesus in the 65th minute as the hosts continued to create more openings and the Brazilian struck after another glaring mistake by Varane.

First defeat for Zidane

"It is one step, if we think that is enough we will show how small we are. If you want to win you have to beat the big clubs," said Guardiola.

"I just spoke with the scouting department [about Lyon] and they told me to be alert. We have eight days to prepare for it. We will enjoy this and then after we will think about Lyon."

Madrid needed two goals in the final stages but none were forthcoming as the 13-time record champions exited the competition in the last-16 for the second year running.

It was the first time Zidane has lost a knockout Champions League tie while coach of Real Madrid.

"We cant be happy obviously, we have lost the game and we are out," explained the coach.

"We are proud of what we achieved this season, this is football. We lost to a good team and have to accept it. We had our chances to score."

'Panenka penalty' in Turin

There was an upset in Turin too, as Depay broke the deadlock for Lyon with a Panenka penalty after Juventus' Rodrigo Bentancur tangled with Houssem Aouar.

Cristiano Ronaldo levelled from the spot for Juventus after Depay was adjudged to have handled Miralem Pjanic’s free kick, with both decisions controversial.

The Champions League all-time top scorer then put Juve ahead on the night on the hour mark, emphatically smashing home past Anthony Lopes at the near post from range for his 130th goal in the competition.

Ronaldo could not go on to complete his hat-trick and Lyon progressed despite the defeat, in what was only their second competitive match in five months after the French season was cancelled in April.

"We knew we had the resources to go through. We were strong and we played for each other," Lopes told RMC Sport. 

"I think tonight we got our reward for all the effort we’ve put in since we returned to training."

Juventus, who have not won the Champions League since 1996, will have to wait and questions will be asked after a disappointing display from Maurizio Sarri's men.

Barcelona host Napoli and Bayern Munich welcome Chelsea in the final last 16 second legs on Saturday.

Man City, Lyon through, Real and Juve out in Champions League