Manchester City and Lyon beat their opposition to get through to the quarter-final stage: Champions League Match Reports

Champions League Round of 16 Match-ups

Manchester City vs Real Madrid

A big game for the big game players was this second leg match-up with Manchester City leading 2-1 vs Real Madrid, with both teams having players on show who can turn the tie in their favour. “Caught napping” was how commenter Darren Fletcher described  Raphaël Varane as City’s centre forward, Gabriel Jesus, came from behind and nicked the ball from his feet, in which he played across to Raheem Sterling for him to score his 20^th champions league goal in the 9^th minute of play. Just the start City needed for them to take control of the match. 20 minutes later, It was Madrid’s turn to score after 19 year old winger, Rodrygo, got the better of his full back, and floated a cross towards Benzema who headed home the equalising goal, and in turn, put the pressure back on Manchester City. The game remained open the remainder of the first half with Phil Foden having the best scoring opportunity after a poor clearance from the Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, the ball found its way to his feet, in which he skipped past Varane and shot across goal, but dragged the shot wide.

The second half started quick with both teams testing the opposition’s keeper from all positions and angles. But it wasn’t until Gabriel Jesus anticipated Raphaël Varane backwards header, which he chased, and fired beyond Courtois to extend City’s lead making it 2-1 on the night, but 4-2 on aggregate. Some Stellar team management from Pep Guardiola’s team to hold off Madrid for the remainder of the match, holding onto the ball for prolonged periods of time, tiring Real Madrid, who when got the ball were rushing trying to find the two goals needed to send them through. Manchester City beat Real Madrid 4-2 on aggregate taking them through to the quarter finals where they will take on French side Lyon.

Juventus vs Lyon

Juventus needed to win the game by two goals and keep a clean sheet to progress through to the quarter finals, but that idea was cut out the equation quickly as Lyon won a penalty in the 11 minute which Memphis Depay executes with composure, as his dinks it down the middle scoring to make it 1-0. Juventus would have to score three now if they were wanting to go through. Juventus have one player who can produce miracles in Cristiano Ronaldo, who they can rely on in these situations, and he got going in the 44^th minute of play when Lyon’s goal scorer handballed in the Lyon box defending a corner, resulting in a penalty to Juventus, in which Ronaldo guided into the bottom right hand corner making it 1-1 on the night.

Then in the second half Ronaldo rifles home his second of the night with precision, as he shoots from just outside the 18 yard box into the top right hand corner, beating the keeper who got a hand onto the ball but couldn’t keep it out. Game on, Juventus have 30 minutes to find a third, like whys, Lyon have 30 minutes to hold on, fail to concede they’ll be going through to the quarter finals. Juventus pushed for the third but there best chance to score was headed over the bar by Gonzalo Higuaín. Lyon win the tie 2-2 on aggregate despite losing the game 2-1. They will play Manchester City in the quarter finals.