Erling Haaland Scores And Misses Penalty Opportunity As Guardiola’s Team Reach Champions League Semi–Final
Erling Haaland scored his 48th goal of the season as Manchester City beat Bayern Munich 4-1 on aggregate to set up another Champions League semi-final showdown with Real Madrid.
Holding a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg, City weathered an early storm in Germany before Haaland’s composed finish in the 57th minute effectively confirmed his side’s place in the last four for a third year in a row.
The Norwegian could have opened the scoring earlier had he not blazed a first-half penalty over the bar and despite Joshua Kimmich making it 1-1 on the night with a late spot-kick (83), it was a case of mission accomplished for Pep Guardiola’s team.
City’s chances of securing a maiden Champions League title remain very much alive, but they will first have to overcome current holders and 14-time winners Real Madrid, who beat Chelsea 4-0 on aggregate in their quarter-final.
And they will know better than anyone what a daunting challenge that is, having been knocked out by the Spanish champions at the semi-final stage last year after falling victim to one of the greatest European comebacks.
As for Bayern, a dramatic turnaround against City was always unlikely and they exit the quarter-finals for a third consecutive season.
