Pep Guardiola’s City held the advantage having recorded a 2-1 victory at the Bernabeu in the first-leg back in February. It meant Real needed to score twice without reply to advance in 90 minutes.
Any of those plans were put to bed when Sterling opened the scoring early in the ninth minute. Varane was caught in possession on his own byline by Gabriel Jesus, who squared for Raheem Sterling to break the deadlock.
It didn’t change much for Real, still needing two away goals to qualify, and they got a first through Karim Benzema’s header from a Rodrygo cross.
The second half started with Real Madrid eager to grab a few more goals against City.
Los Blancos continued to mess around with the ball deep in their half but the Citizens eventually killed the tie.
Jesus nipped in to capitalize on a weak Varane header to brilliantly poke home from an angle. It was the 22nd goal for the Brazilian in all competitions and also saw him hit his best season tally in a City shirt.
The Brazilian international has been in fine form this season and has stepped up as an able deputy for Sergio Aguero who has been out injured.
Gabriel Jesus, after leading Manchester City to the next round, suggests he takes inspiration from his compatriot, Ronaldo Nazario.
“I work to be a great striker. I work every day hard to be like Ronaldo was. His quality is different from me but I have to work to be a great striker,” he said, via Goal.
City will now play Lyon in Lisbon next week in a one-legged tie.
