Madrid's Dream Ends Due To Two Varane Blunders

Karim Benzema scores Real Madrid's only goal against Manchester City (Twitter @championsleague)

JAKARTA - Real Madrid played poorly against Manchester City in the second leg of the Champions League last 16, Friday, August 7 evening. Los Blancos lost 1-2 or 2-4 on aggregate and failed to advance to the quarter-finals.

Entering the match with a 1-2 deficit from the first leg, Madrid were even too cool to play the ball in their own defense. As a result, Rafael Varane's blunder in the 9th minute had to be paid handsomely because Raheem Sterling mercilessly punished goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Madrid just seemed to wake up from sleep after 20 minutes of the match, but Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard's shots were still able to be secured by goalkeeper Ederson Moraes.

It was only in the 28th minute that Los Blancos managed to equalize 1-1 to treat their hopes of overturning the aggregate when Rodrygo Goes 'cross was met by Benzema's header to tear the hosts' goal.

City started the second half well again but their first chance through Kevin De Bruyne's through ball was not completed by Sterling. On the other hand, the visitors threatened a shot outside the Benzema penalty box.

Varane blundered again in the 68th minute when he headed home Courtois, which Jesus again cut. This time the Brazilian himself calmly released the finish to bring City back to lead 2-1 until the game was over.

These results made City step into the quarter-finals which will be held in Portugal and are scheduled to face Olympique Lyon, who in another match successfully passed Juventus' obstacles (won 2-2 on aggregate).

Pep Guardiola's team at least matched their score last season, reaching the quarter-finals in a competition they had never won.

🔵 Manchester City reach quarter-finals for 3rd successive season 👏👏👏 # UCL

- UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 7, 2020