Champions League: Haaland and Man City reach semi-finals, Inter go through after thrilling draw
Erling Haaland and City see off Bayern Munich in the quarter-final second leg. Inter, for their part, also progressed after a draw with Benfica.
Sport News Africa · Author profile ·
Listen to this story
Audio version in preparation · read aloud by your browser meanwhile
Manchester City sealed their place in the Champions League semi-finals with a 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich. Inter Milan also drew 3-3 with Benfica and so reach the last four for the first time since 2010.
59% possession, 10 shots, 4 on target, yet no goal for Bayern in the first half. A statistical anomaly explained by chronic wastefulness in front of goal. Leroy Sané, Kingsley Coman and Jamal Musiala all squandered several clear chances to spark a comeback. City, with a three-goal cushion, had reason to be cautious, but they were mainly forced into it by the pressing and intensity of the Bavarians. City's best chance was missed by Haaland, after a generous penalty (37th). The two sides went into the dressing rooms at 0-0.
Haaland, the executioner
At the start of the second half, Bayern kept pushing to open the scoring. But, after yet another missed chance, Manchester City went ahead. On the counter, De Bruyne found Erling Haaland on the very edge of offside. The Norwegian cyborg got the better of Upamecano and scored his 12th goal of the season in the Champions League. His 48th in all competitions. A machine.
https://twitter.com/ActuFoot_/status/1648785355062013954
Bayern did equalise in the last ten minutes. The penalty won by Sadio Mané was converted by Joshua Kimmich in the 83rd minute. Manchester City will face Real Madrid in the semi-finals in a rematch of last season's tie, in which the Madrid side came back to beat the English club.
Inter join Milan
We will indeed get a Milan derby in the Champions League semi-finals. After a 2-0 win in the first leg, Inter drew 3-3 with Benfica Lisbon. Nicolo Barella opened the scoring as early as the 14th minute. After Aursnes equalised, the Milan side went back in front thanks to Lautaro Martinez, before extending their lead through Correa (78th). Antonio Silva pulled one back in the 80th minute before Musa equalised in the closing moments. Inter will face AC Milan in the semi-finals in a derby that promises to be red-hot.