Manchester City outlasted Atletico Madrid in an ill-tempered affair at the Wanda Metropolitano to secure a passage into the Champions League semi-final.
The Manchester outfit produced a disciplined performance to secure a fractious 0-0 draw and reach the Champions League semi-finals 1-0 on aggregate.
Tensions boiled over in the closing stages with Atletico defender Felipe being sent off after receiving a second yellow card before the teams played out 12 minutes of feisty added time.
Scuffles broke out among the players following Felipe’s dismissal for kicking out at Phil Foden that continued well after the final whistle as the teams went down the tunnel, with the police having to intervene to restore calm.
The English champions were their usual comfortable self in the first half knowing Atletico needed a goal to send the tie into extra time.
Ilkay Gundogan could have made things easier for the visitors but struck the post with City’s best chance of the game after a flowing move down the right.
They did not manage another attempt on goal the rest of the game.
City manager Pep Guardiola dared Atletico to get away from their usual conservative approach and, roared on by a boisterous crowd at Metropolitano stadium, they tried hard to play with more attacking intent.
The visitors, however, responded with tactics usually implied by Atletico. They were patient, slowing down the pace of the game and running down the clock to the displeasure of Atletico manager Diego Simeone and their vocal supporters crowd.
The Spanish champions enjoyed more possession after the interval and threatened to score the goal that would have taken the game into extra time but were unable to break down the City defence despite creating several good chances.
City had only two goal attempts to 12 from Atletico after the break and their Ederson needed to make two crucial stops in added time to ensure his team advanced to the last four.
At the end of it all it was Manchester City that progressed to their second consecutive Champions League semi-final.
Manchester City, bidding to win European club football’s most prestigious trophy for the first time, will play record 13-times champions Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
