MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) -Manchester City cruised into the Champions League semi-finals after a 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich on Wednesday secured a 4-1 aggregate win that moved them a step closer to an elusive first title in the competition.
City forward Erling Haaland, who had missed a first-half penalty, made amends in the 57th minute, drilling in his 48th goal in all competitions this season to kill off the tie before Bayern levelled with a Joshua Kimmich penalty in the 83rd.
It was City’s 15th consecutive game without defeat across all competitions and Pep Guardiola’s team, losing finalists in 2021, will next face holders Real Madrid in the last four.
Bayern always had a mountain to climb after losing 3-0 in the first leg, but got off to a strong start with fit-again forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the lineup.
Kingsley Coman was a constant source of danger on the wing, keeping City defenders busy, and the hosts’ biggest chance came in the 17th minute when Leroy Sane latched on to a Jamal Musiala pass but dragged his shot wide with only keeper Ederson to beat.
The Bavarians, who were also knocked out of the German Cup two weeks ago following coach Thomas Tuchel’s arrival, caught a break a minute later when defender Dayot Upamecano was initially sent off after receiving a straight red card for a last-man foul on Haaland.
A VAR review, however, confirmed the striker was offside and the Bayern defender’s dismissal was overturned.
Upamecano, who had been heavily criticised for his mistake that led to City’s second goal in the first leg, was less fortunate a little later when he was penalised for a handball.
Haaland sent his penalty high over the bar, a rare miss for the Norwegian striker this season, but he did much better after the restart.
After combining well with Kevin De Bruyne, Haaland shook off the embattled Upamecano, before beating keeper Yann Sommer, setting a new record having taken just 27 matches to reach 35 goals in Europe’s premier club competition.
City’s goal was the first Bayern conceded at home in the entire competition this season and the hosts, who have only the Bundesliga title left to play for this season, got an equaliser when Kimmich converted a spot kick.
Their frustrating evening was completed when Tuchel was sent off after a second booking in the 86th minute.
(Reporting by Karolos GrohmannEditing by Toby Davis)
