REAL MADRID 1, MANCHESTER CITY 0 (Real Madrid go through to the Champions League final 1-0 on aggregate)
City were hit by a double blow in the first half with the tenth minute loss to another injury of captain Vincent Kompany compounded by an own goal by Fernando after 20 minutes after he deflected Gareth Bale’s cross past Joe Hart.
Kompany went down awkwardly after giving the ball away after eight minutes, and was replaced by Eliaquim Mangala a couple of minutes later, after straining his thigh.
City were visibly diminished after the early exit of their captain and it wasn’t long before Real stepped up a gear with a dominant performance by Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco as City failed to match their hosts who earned themselves another all-Madrid derby and their 14th European final with a comfortable win against a cowed City side whose best effort saw Fernandinho shave a post before half time.
By comparison, Yaya Toure, who missed City’s first leg draw at the Etihad last week and the 4-2 defeat at Southampton on Sunday, looked a passenger as he was returning from injury to replace David Silva whose season looked to be over after an ankle injury in last week’s game and City never looked like they would get the away goal that could have swung the tie their way.
Ronaldo jumped above Nicolas Otamendi early to increase City’s jitters with a header that went over the bar.
Gareth Bale’s cross was deflected past Joe Hart to open the scoring for Real after 20 minutes. Dani Carvajal’s pass arrived at the Welshman whose centre looped off Fernando’s boot and into the far corner off the back post for his 20th goal of the season.
Real missed the chance to double their lead soon after when Isco’s pull back for Ronaldo was also sent high by the ex-United man.
City were not able to test Real’s defence properly with Jesus Navas’ poor cross captured by Keylor Navas with few options to aim for in the centre.
Pepe’s goal was disallowed for offside against a clutch of Real players as they went for the jugular against a still shell-shocked City side from a free kick.
Marcelo drove the ball across the City box after Modric’s excellent through pass with Ronaldo waiting fruitlessly in the centre as City continued to struggle.
Sergio Aguero spent much of the game fighting an isolated battle against both of Real’s centre halves with just a half chance after 32 minutes from Sagna’s cross to show for his early efforts but in truth City created little im the first half and the Argentine had just one chance in the second half.
City’s first shooting chance was set up by Kevin De Bruyne who stepped inside to supply Fernandinho for a shot from outside the area which shaved the outside of the near post shortly before the break.
Gareth Bale’s diagonal pass fell for Ronaldo whose tame effort was collected by Hart as Real continued to cut though City’s shaky defence at will in the second half.
Hart had to be alert to block a fine chance by Luka Modric who beat the offside trap but couldn’t get the ball under control before Hart got into position to save City again.
Modric found Carvajal whose cross fell to Ronaldo who, beating the offside trap again, made it easy for Hart to make the save after 55 minutes.
Hart dived on another Ronaldo shot as City began to concede more chances to the home side.
Raheem Sterling replaced Yaya Toure as City looked to change things on the hour mark, with De Bruyne coming inside to get nearer to Sergio Aguero.
Ronaldo almost took advantage of Mangala’s slip but City scrambled the ball away.
And Real could have scored after Bale’s header came off the woodwork from a corner.
Kelechi Iheanacho came on in the 68th minute for the ineffective Navas and began to offer City another attacking option as City finally roused themselves from their torpor with a more attacking 4-4-2 shape and Real began to sit back on their lead.
Kevin De Bruyne hit the side netting with a free kick with seven minutes to go after Raheem Sterling had been fouled by Lucas Vaquez who was lucky to escape the challenge with only a booking.
Sergio Aguero finally got a chance to shoot late on but his dipping shot dropped onto the roof of the net just over the bar in the 89th minute.
Joe Hart, easily City’s man of the match in both legs, saved at the feet of James Rodriguez in added time as Real eased themselves into the final.
With just two games to go in the season, City must win both of them (at home to Arsenal and away at Swansea) to guarantee Champions League football for next season but must make so without Silva and probably Kompany as they look forward to the arrival of new manager Pep Guardiola in the summer.