The Albany Gazette - Real Madrid dump Man City out of Champions League once more

City had to make history in overturning a 3-0 first leg deficit against the 15-time European champions, but a difficult task became an impossible one when captain Bernardo Silva was shown an early red card for handling the ball on his own line.

Vinicius Junior converted from the spot to kill the tie as a contest as City exited to Madrid for the third consecutive year.

Erling Haaland levelled for City before half-time, but Vinicius won the game with virtually the final kick off the ball.

City's season is at risk of coming off the rails.

Winless in three games, Pep Guardiola's men must raise themselves for the League Cup final against Arsenal on Sunday.

They also trail the Gunners by nine points in the Premier League title race and host Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals next month.

Once again City's quest for Champions League glory came unstuck as Madrid proved they have the knack for finding their best come the knockout stages of this competition, despite unconvincing form in La Liga.

Alvaro Arbeloa could afford to leave Kylian Mbappe on the bench on his return from injury, while Jude Bellingham could also be back fit by the time they face a likely quarter-final against Bayern Munich.

City needed a fast start to have any chance of becoming the first side to ever overturn a three-goal deficit against Madrid in European competition, but nearly found themselves further behind inside a minute.

Federico Valverde was the unlikely Real hero last week with the first hat-trick of his career.

The Uruguayan had an easier chance than for any of his three goals at the Santiago Bernabeu seven days ago, but fired meekly into the arms of Gianluigi Donnarumma after his run from midfield went untracked.

- Haaland subbed -

City did briefly threaten to bring the tie to life but came up against a familiar foe in Thibaut Courtois.

The giant Belgian goalkeeper repelled efforts from Rayan Cherki and Rodri before Madrid's threat on the counter-attack killed off any lingering City hopes.

Vinicius had initially been flagged offside in the build up before his effort was turned wide by Silva's left arm.

But a VAR review established the Brazilian was onside and left referee Clement Turpin with little choice but to dismiss the City captain and point to the penalty spot.

Donnarumma saved a Vinicius penalty in the first leg, but this time was sent the wrong way from the spot.

Vinicius should have added plenty more to his 15 goals this season as City pushed forward and left themselves exposed at the back.

Twice he fired off target with just Donnarumma to beat before half-time.

Haaland now has 43 for club and country, but had netted just twice from open play in his previous 18 games.

Even when the Norwegian did equalise, it came from a mishit as he scuffed a shot past Courtois from Jeremy Doku's cross.

Courtois failed to reappear for the second half, but his deputy Andriy Lunin twice denied Haaland a double.

Haaland was then replaced before the hour mark as Guardiola's mind turned towards Wembley at the weekend.

Both sides had two goals ruled out for offside before Vinicius finally had one count when he swept home Aurelien Tchouameni's cross deep into stoppage time.

Guardiola has refused to quell speculation this could be his last season after a decade in Manchester.

If it is, his return of just one Champions League crown is one of the few disappointments of a golden era for a club that has traditionally lived in the shadow of neighbours Manchester United.

(T.Wright--TAG)