The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
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Riyad Mahrez struck twice as Manchester City produced a superb all-round performance to reach their first Champions League final with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Paris St Germain.
The Paris-born winger struck in each half at the Etihad Stadium, adding to his effort in the first leg, as the Premier League leaders completed a 4-1 aggregate victory.
PSG threw plenty into attack as they attempted to chase the tie in unexpectedly icy conditions but Mahrez’s second just after the hour proved a killer blow.
As in the first leg, PSG lost their composure in the latter stages and Angel Di Maria was sent off for a petulant stamp on Fernandinho after the ball had run out for a throw-in.
City were far more disciplined. Pep Guardiola’s men defended stubbornly throughout but showed plenty of attacking intent and took the key chances when they came.
They will now face the winners of tonight’s other semi-final between Chelsea and Real Madrid in Istanbul later this month.
Two-goal hero Mahrez admitted the late illdiscipline of PSG made life a lot more comfortable for City during the final exchanges of the semi-final.
He told BT Sport: “It was a very good game. We didn’t start good again, I don’t think we had a very good first half, but we scored the goal and we were more comfortable after the goal.
“Second half we played very good, we had a lot of chances and could score more. Then they lost their nerve and started to kick us and it was good. They had the red card and after it was more comfortable for us.”
Centre-back Dias starred throughout but Mahrez praised the overall effort of the team.
“When you play semifinal of Champions League, you have to be solid and everyone has to contribute defensively..”