This was a landmark night for young English talent, a big evening of European football illuminated by Jude Bellingham of Stourbridge and Phil Foden of Stockport.
In the end, though, it was an occasion that proved to be an even more important rite of passage for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Into the last four of the Champions League for the first time under their Spanish coach, City deserved this victory.
Behind early in this second leg, Guardiola’s players could have panicked.