Photo: Gabriel Jesus had a goal and an assist as Machester City dumped Real Madrid out of the EUFA Champions League 4-2 on aggregate yesterday. (Getty Images)
Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais bumped former champions and European heavyweights, Real Madrid and Juventus respectively out of the round of sixteen on the UEFA Champions League in contrasting fashion on Friday.
Man City who were leading Real Madrid 2-1 after the first leg at the Bernabeu completed the job with a second 2-1 victory over the La Liga champions, at the Etihad, for a 4-2 aggregate win.
City can credit their victory to Raheem Sterling who netted his 100th goal for the club in the 9th minute and Gabriel Jesus in the 68th minute. Karim Benzima got the consolation for Madrid in the 28th minute.
Madrid started the game knowing that they needed to score early to get back in the tie, but were rocked when Jesus stole the ball off of defender Varane and crossed to Sterling who scored one of the easiest goals of his career, to reach the century mark and give his team a 3-1 aggregate lead.
Benzema set up the move that saw him score from a Rodrygo cross to make it 1-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate, to give Zinedine Zidane some hope before half time.
But whatever hopes of a comeback the former champions may have had, were dashed when Jesus poked home from close range from a weak header from Varane midway the second half. It was a night to forget in Manchester for Varane as Madrid missed their captain Sergio Ramos who sat out the game due to suspension.
Over in Turin, Juventus were expected to turn things around against the French team, but were behind early when Memphis Depay gave the visitors a 12th minute lead, from the penalty spot.
Cristiano Ronaldo levelled things for the host, also from the spot, seven minutes before the break, to give them some hope of a comeback as they trailed 1-2 on aggregate.
When Ronaldo scored his second, also from the spot in the 60th minute, it was the first time Juventus were leading in the tie as they led 2-1 on the night with the tie balanced at 2-2.
They then needed just one more goal to advance to the quarterfinals, but Lyon managed to hang on for a draw and advance on the away goals rule, against the “Old Lady” at the Allianz Stadium.
Manchester City will now face Lyon in the quarterfinal round in Lisbon next week, as both teams seek to match their best output, of a semifinal place, in the competition.
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