Manchester City have booked their spot in this season’s Champions League final after beating Real Madrid 5-1 in the two semi-finals.
Pep Guardiola’s men dominated from start to finish at the Etihad, with Bernardo Silva’s first-half brace capped by strikes from Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez to seal an emphatic 4-0 win in the second leg.
Goalkeeper Erling Haaland failed to get his name on the scoresheet against Thibaut Courtois for the second time in a week, but it is the Norwegian who will have the last laugh after dumping the European champions out of the competition.
City will face Inter Milan in the showpiece Istanbul next month and will be labeled the favorites as they go after a Treble.
Here, CHRIS SUTTON of Mail Sport takes a look at how each player fared during their clash at the Etihad.
Manchester City beat Real Madrid to book their spot in the Champions League final
Manchester City
Edson 7
Stay well focused with relatively little to do. Fuzzy touch led Kroos’ shot to the woodwork and saved Alaba’s free kick.
Kyle Walker 8.5
What a moment where he was the wrong side of Vinicius, but ran back to dispossess the Brazilian. That’s why he was on the team, as fast as ever at 32.
John Stones 8.5
Master stroke to get him to operate in midfield to surpass Madrid. It was the Stones run that gave City the impetus to score the important first goal. He’s so aware.
Reuben Dias 6.5
One of City’s leaders. Without Stones by his side, he set up what was effectively a back-three and prevented Benzema from making any impact.
Kyle Walker (left) was the perfect man to nullify Real Madrid star Vinicius Jnr (right)
Manuel Akanji 7
Not only assured in defence, but a threat from the air on set pieces and his header over the goal created a good chance for Haaland before another led to the third goal.
Rodry 8
Energetic performances that often break from the midfield position for which he is most recognized. Went close with a shot in the first half.
Bernardo Silva 9
Hero with two goals. Fooled Courtois by giving him the eyes first and then adding a really cool header. Make the game look simple.
Kevin De Bruyne 7.5
Not everything worked out, but it was still his perfect pass that sent Bernardo through to score. Haaland not found to make it 3-0.
Bernardo Silva (left) makes the game look so easy as he scored a first half brace at the Etihad
Ilkay Gundogan 8
Pep does not want to lose him at the end of the season. Has had a phenomenal few months and secured a second goal with a shot that deflected to Bernardo.
Jack Grealish 8.5
Enjoyed himself immensely. Nice pinged cross for Haaland’s first chance and terrorized Carvajal with his dribbles. Looked for it.
Erling Haaland 6.5
Should have scored with a header that hit Courtois on the line but did everything right after 20 minutes only for the keeper to make a remarkable save. Also had a second half shot deflected into the woodwork by Courtois.
Manager: Pep Guardiola 8
Resisted the temptation to use Mahrez for Bernardo and it paid off hugely.
Substitutes: Mahrez (for Gundogan 79), Foden (for De Bruyne 84), Alvarez (for Haaland 89)
Pep Guardiola got everything right and now his team has the Treble firmly in their sights
RealMadrid
Thibaut Courtois 8
Had a stormer and made one of the best saves I’ve seen to stop Haaland’s header, but was outsmarted by Bernardo for the opener. Brilliant save with his shin to get Haaland’s shot to the crossbar.
Daniel Carvajal 5
Looked scared for Grealish and didn’t show the prickliness that so excited the £100 million Madrid man. Unusually reluctant to move forward. Booked.
Eder Militao 6.5
Squad of the Real defenders after replacing Rüdiger but blotted writing from hitting the floor too quickly in a fight with Haaland. He’s better than that. Unlucky deflection of his thigh for City’s third.
Courtois had a storm attack and made one of the best saves I’ve seen to stop Haaland’s header
David Alba 6
Couldn’t get over in time to stop Bernardo’s first goal and was unable to beat City’s press to build anything in attack. Tested Ederson with free kick.
Eduardo Camavinga5
Played like he was worried about his knee. Fortunately, he didn’t get an early penalty with a challenge on Bernardo and remained unsettled.
Federico Valverde 5.5
Looked shocked, as did the rest of his teammates, as if they hadn’t expected City to be so aggressive from the opening whistle.
Tony Kroos 6
Didn’t match Bernardo’s run which left his team behind. Had signed lower but hit the bar fantastically.
Luka Modric 6
Hard to remember a more lost game in his long career. Couldn’t push the ball into the opposing half, his best moment was a tackle on De Bruyne.
Toni Kroos (left) and Luka Modric (right) were dejected figures after their European exit
Rodrygo 5
Spent more time reversing than trying to drive into City’s penalty area, turning Madrid’s formation into a 4-5-1.
Karim Benzema 5.5
Barely saw the ball and was well suspended by Dias. Had to feed on leftovers even if his first touch was still on point.
Vinicius Jr. 5.5
Much less influential than in the Bernabeu. Gave away possession in his own half and lost Walker’s foot race as they raced shoulder to shoulder.
Vinicius Jnr was far less influential than at the Bernabeu – struggled on the night in Manchester
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti 5
Illustrious Champions League record, but his plan to sit deep and be physical backfired.
Substitutes: Rudiger 6 (for Modric 63 minutes), Asensio 6 (for Kroos 70 minutes), Vazquez (for Carvajal 80), Tchouameni (for Camavinga 80), Ceballos (for Rodrygo 80)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland) 6