Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over 10-man Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League round-of-16 second leg, advancing 5-1 on aggregate after Vinícius Júnior's brace—including a penalty following Bernardo Silva's red card—with Erling Haaland scoring a consolation for the hosts. It marked the 36th consecutive advancement for Madrid when leading 3-0 after the first leg.
Manchester City welcomed Real Madrid to the Etihad Stadium on March 17, 2026, for the Champions League round-of-16 second leg, needing to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Federico Valverde netted a hat-trick. This was the 36th time Real Madrid entered a European tie's return leg with a 3-0 lead, and they progressed for the 36th straight time. Pep Guardiola demanded a 'perfect game' from his side after criticism of his first-leg selections.
City began ambitiously, with Rayan Cherki and Rodri forcing saves from Thibaut Courtois, but the tie shifted decisively in the 20th minute. Bernardo Silva received a straight red card—his first in his professional career—for deliberately handling a goal-bound volley from Vinícius Júnior on the goal line, confirmed by VAR and referee Clément Turpin. Vinícius calmly converted the resulting penalty, sending City keeper Ederson the wrong way.
Despite being down to 10 men, Manchester City leveled when Erling Haaland scuffed a finish from Jeremy Doku's pull-back. Haaland was later denied a second by Andriy Lunin, who replaced Courtois at half-time. Kylian Mbappé entered as a substitute for Brahim Díaz and went close from a corner.
Late offside decisions disallowed efforts from Rayan Aït-Nouri and Valverde, before Vinícius sealed the victory in injury time, tapping in Aurélien Tchouaméni's cross after an initial goal was overturned. Real Madrid eased into the quarter-finals, while Manchester City turn attention to their EFL Cup final against Arsenal.
