Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Varane’s double howler cost Real Madrid the quarter-finals spot

Manchester City progressed 4-2 on aggregate to the quarterfinals of the Champions League following a 2-1 home win over Real Madrid.

Pep Guardiola side started strong right from the start. Los Blancos missed their suspended skipper Sergio Ramos as Raphael Varane howlers gifted City both the goals that they scored.

Varane was caught in possession by Jesus, who finds Raheem Sterling unmarked in the middle to guide it into an empty net in the 9^th minute of the match. With that goal, Raheem Sterling registered his 100^th goal in all competitions for Manchester City.

Despite a poor start, Madrid snatched one back in the 28^th minute of the first 45. Karim Benzema managed to beat Fernandinho to the cross of Rodrygo before heading it home past Manchester City No 1 Ederson to make it 1-1 (3-2 on aggregate)

Madrid and City both created chances but failed to score with Zinedine Zidane’s side only bowing down to the Sky Blues after another howler from Varane in the 68^th minute.

Varane missed the initial headed clearance and then his attempted header back to Courtois fells short, with Gabriel Jesus intercepting and finally beating Courtois with a fine finish.

Over the last 10 seasons, the Frenchman became the ninth individual over UCL’s knockout history with two mistakes contributing to a goal in a same match.

Manchester City vs Lyon in the quarter-finals:

Guardiola’s men will now head to Portugal for their Quarter-Final tie against Lyon, who surprised the Italian Giants Juventus following a 2-2 aggregate draw, proceeding to the next round on away goals.

Manchester City will play Lyon on Sunday, 16^th of August (12:30 AM Indian Standard Time) at Estadio Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal.

Also read: Ronaldo’s brace not enough to carry Juventus through to the quarterfinals

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