Manchester City vs. Real Madrid score: Sterling, Jesus send City to Champions League quarterfinals

Real Madrid have been eliminated from the cup

Manchester City are through to the Champions League quarterfinals after knocking out Real Madrid on Friday. City won the second leg 2-1, the same exact score as the first leg, advancing 4-2 on aggregate as Zinedine Zidane was eliminated from the competition as coach for the very first time. City capitalized on Raphael Varane's two shocking errors at the back to score both of their goals, with Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus finding the back of the net.

Real was without star defender Sergio Ramos due to suspension, and it showed. The result will leave Real fans wondering if Ramos would have been in position to support either of those errors. But still, Real needed another goal and didn't get it. With Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema leading the frontline, Los Blancos produced just four shots on goal and didn't come all that close to finding a second strike.

Here are three takeaways from the match.

Varane had a miserable day

Look, City is so strong of a side. They create enough chances on their own, so when you gift them opportunities, you are asking to lose. Real's French center back gave up both of the goals with two displays of incompetence at the back. Varane was caught sleeping on the opener as Gabriel stole the ball from him to set up Sterling:

Then Varane tried to head the ball back, and Gabriel made him pay again:

It's hard to have a worse showing than that. Nightmare.

City was sharp in attack but took its best chances

That City attack was electric, producing 20 shots and coming close on numerous occasions. They had more of the ball, the passing was superb and while they didn't produce a goal on their own build on, they converted their two golden chances to put this one away. Rarely do you see a game where City doesn't create goals from their own buildup, and the fact that it happened here might not be a good sign for Lyon in the quarterfinals.

Clear path for City

It's a great result for City as Real hadn't lost a game since play resumed in June over in Spain. And now it is quite clear that City, at a minimum, has to get to the semifinals. With Lyon next, that is a dangerous match but also one that could be over by halftime. City's attack is just too strong for that Lyon defense. If City get through, they could be set to potentially face Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the semifinals, which would produce some juicy talking points as both are former clubs of Guardiola. City has a clear path into the last four, and there anything can happen.

City will face Lyon next week in the quarterfinals on CBS All Access.

Manchester City 2, Real Madrid 1 (FINAL)

⚽ Manchester City: Raheem Sterling (9')
⚽ Real Madrid: Karim Benzema (28')
⚽ Manchester City: Gabriel Jesus (68')

[Aug 7, 2020 at 4:28 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Goal Gabriel Jesus!!!! 2-1 for City! Massive!

[Aug 7, 2020 at 4:24 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

This is getting intense. Real is pushing forward. Asensio on to help boost the attack, and a wild final 25 minutes ahead of us.