Man City Cruise To Last 8, Vinicius Rescues Real!
07 March, 2024
Manchester City 3-1 FC Copenhagen (6-2 on aggregate)
Defending champions Manchester City advanced to UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over FC Copenhagen in the second leg of the round of 16.
Manchester City cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over FC Copenhagen, while Real Madrid secured their spot despite a 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig.
Pep Guardiola's charges came into the second leg with a 3-1 advantage, which allowed him to make changes as only Erling Haaland, Rodri, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji kept their spots from the Manchester derby.
City got off to the perfect start when Julian Alvearez's corner found defender Akanji, who found the back of the net with a superb volley. The lead was doubled in the ninth minute when
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Copenhagen goalkeeper Kamil Grabara spilled Alvarez's routine shot from distance into the back of the net. The visitors did pull a goal back on 29 minutes when Mohamed Elyounoussi played a one-two with Orri Óskarsson before calmly slotting into the far corner.However, City restored their two-point lead on the stroke of halftime through Haaland, who held off two challenges before firing in at the near post.
Guardiola's troops were already home and dry by then as they continue the defence of their title.
Real Madrid 1-1 RB Leipzig (2-1 on aggregate)
Real Madrid booked their ticket to the quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos held a slender advantage from the first leg thanks to Brahim Diaz's second-half strike in Leipzig two weeks ago.
Carlo Ancelotti made just one change from the draw with Valencia over the weekend, as Nacho replaced Rodrygo which allowed Aurelien Tchouameni to step up into the midfield.
The first half was surprisingly an even affair, with Leipzig causing a bit of trouble but they were let down by their decision-making in the final third.
Los Blancos did get the opening goal on the night after 65 minutes as Jude Bellingham threaded a pass for Vinicius Junior, who found the top corner with a powerful finish.
Leipzig pulled one back three minutes later when Willi Orbán got ahead of his marker to nod home a corner from David Raum to make it 2-1 on aggregate.
The Bundesliga outfit nearly sent the game to extra-time when Dani Olmo control well before seeing his lob crash on top of the crossbar, as Los Blancos held on for the draw to advance to the next round.
Source: www.snl24.com