Manchester City's European ambitions came crashing down once more at the Etihad Stadium, as Real Madrid secured a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate victory in their Champions League last-16 encounter.
Despite mounting a spirited fightback on home soil, Pep Guardiola's men fell 2-1 on the night, unable to recover from the 3-0 deficit they carried from the Bernabeu.
Vinicius Junior proved the difference, netting twice to bookend an Erling Haaland strike that briefly offered hope to the home faithful.
The Spanish giants have now become City's nemesis in this competition, eliminating them for the fourth occasion across the past five campaigns.
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The turning point arrived in the 22nd minute when captain Bernardo Silva was dismissed for a deliberate handball that denied a certain goal.
Vinicius had struck the post before the ball rebounded off goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, and when the Brazilian fired again, Silva instinctively blocked with his arm.
After a lengthy VAR review confirmed Vinicius was onside, the referee awarded both a penalty and a red card.
Unlike his miss from the spot in the first leg, Vinicius converted this time to extend Real's aggregate advantage to 4-0.
Manchester City's European ambitions came crashing down once more at the Etihad Stadium
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His celebration carried pointed significance, rubbing his eyes as if weeping, a direct response to City supporters who had displayed a banner reading "stop crying your eyes out" referencing the Ballon d'Or controversy when Rodri triumphed over the Brazilian.
Reduced to 10 men, City nonetheless produced a performance of remarkable courage, registering 22 attempts on goal throughout the evening.
Their breakthrough came four minutes before half-time when Jeremy Doku's cross took a fortuitous deflection off Trent Alexander-Arnold, presenting Haaland with a simple close-range finish.
It marked the Norwegian striker's first goal in more than a month, yet he would not see out the match.
Bernardo Silva was dismissed for a deliberate handball that denied a certain goal
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Guardiola withdrew Haaland before the hour mark, reportedly due to a groin complaint, as the manager sought to inject fresh urgency into his side.
Substitutes Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Ait-Nouri both found the net, only for both efforts to be chalked off for offside.
Vinicius, having squandered several gilt-edged opportunities, finally sealed the tie with the final kick of the match.
Guardiola has 12 months remaining on his contract, and whilst those in his inner circle maintain he has given no indication of departing this summer, speculation persists within football circles that he may walk away.
Pep Guardiola's men fell 2-1 on the night
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The City manager said: "I had a feeling when 11 v 11 that it would happen but we gave everything. We have an extraordinary team, an extraordinary group of players. The future is bright."
On Silva's dismissal, Guardiola added: "It was a big punishment wasn't it? A penalty and a red card. But it is what it is."
Real's Alvaro Arbeloa expressed his delight: "Everyone knows how difficult that is. To beat a squad like that and a manager like Pep without our missing players I'm so happy."
City now turn their attention to Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.
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