MANCHESTER City and Inter Milan enhanced their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League with big wins tonight.
English champions Manchester City eased past Bayern Munich 3-0, while Inter Milan earned a 2-0 victory away to Benfica in the first legs of their quarter-final ties.
Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland netted for City as they produced an outstanding performance at the Etihad Stadium against one of the giants of Europe, now coached by former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.
Rodri got Pep Guardiola’s side on their way with a curling left-footed strike in the 27th minute that gave Bayern Munich goalkeeper Yann Sommer no chance.
The spectacular goal was the difference in a high-quality first half of brilliant football by both sides, but City asserted their dominance after the break.
The hosts doubled their advantage 25 minutes into the second half when Haaland’s pin-point cross was met with a precise header by the diminutive Silva.
Haaland scored what could be a crucial third goal in the tie six minutes later when he swept home John Stones’ headed knockdown past an impressive Sommer.
The goal was Haaland’s 45th of the season, making him the highest scorer in all competitions in a single campaign since the Premier League began 30 years ago, surpassing Mohamed Salah and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
In Lisbon, Nicola Barella struck early in the second half and substitute Romelu Lukaku converted a late penalty to give Inter Milan a solid away win.
The second legs of both ties will be played on Wednesday next week.
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