Manchester City are out of the UEFA Champions League after a 2-1 home defeat to Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium, confirming a 5-1 aggregate loss.
Already trailing heavily from the first leg, City started brightly but were undone early when Bernardo Silva was sent off for handball following a VAR review. Vinicius Junior converted from the spot to extend Madrid’s advantage.
Despite the setback, City showed resilience and pulled level before the break through Erling Haaland, who finished off a well-worked move to give the hosts brief hope.
The Premier League side continued to push after halftime, but efforts from Jeremy Doku and Ryan Ait-Nouri were ruled out for offside. Madrid remained composed and struck again in stoppage time, with Vinicius sealing the win with his second goal of the night.
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Speaking after the match, City manager Pep Guardiola said: “It is difficult once you are 4-0 down and playing 10 men against 11. But we did everything.”
He added: “We have an extraordinary team and an extraordinary group of players. The future is bright… it should have been 11 against 11. But we never know.”
The defeat marks a third straight Champions League elimination for City at the hands of Madrid, ending their hopes in Europe this season.
Guardiola, however, urged focus on what lies ahead, saying: “It is not crucial, it is a football game, we are going to try to win with a good performance.”
City will now shift attention to domestic competitions, including a key showdown with Arsenal, as they look to salvage silverware from the campaign.