Monaco Reaches Champions League Quarterfinals With 3-1 Win Vs Manchester City

Monaco defeated Manchester City at home in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg game with early goals from Kylian Mbappé, Fabinho Tavares, as well as a second-half header from Tiemoué Bakayoko.

Monaco Beats Man City 3-1, Advances to Champions League Quarterfinals

After having lost at City 5-3 in the first leg three weeks ago, Monaco delivered a strong start Wednesday. Mbappé, an 18-year-old French forward scored from close range in the eighth minute to make it 1-0 for his 11th goal in as many games.

Brazilian midfielder Fabinho doubled the lead in the 29th with a sharp shot from near the penalty spot.

In the first-leg game, City had rallied from 3-2 down with three goals in the final 20 minutes, and manager Pep Guardiola’s team was seeking another comeback in Monaco.

Despite Wednesday’s loss, City improved significantly in the second half, with 21-year-old German midfielder Leroy Sané scoring in the 71st minute. Sané scored after City’s top scorer, Argentine Sergio Aguero, had missed several good chances.

The German youngster fired a shot into the top of the net after goalie Danijel Subasic’s save from Raheem Sterling’s low shot fell right into his path.

Bakayoko, a 22-year-old French midfielder, provided Monaco with the magic goal, his first-ever Champions League score, by knocking the ball in with a header off a free-kick from Thomas Lemar in the 77th minute.

Though the aggregate of the two legs is 6-6, Monaco advances to the Champions League quarterfinals on the away goals rule.

In the night’s other game, Atletico Madrid also progressed to the quarterfinals, tying 0-0 at home to Bayer Leverkusen to advance 4-2 on aggregate.

MONACO – MARCH 15: Raheem Sterling of Manchester City is tracked by Fabinho of Monaco during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between AS Monaco and Manchester City FC at Stade Louis II on March 15, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)