“Today it all came out in our energy and desire. Sport always gives you a second chance for revenge. This year we got that chance and we took it.”
If it had not been for Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, the defending champions would have been on the receiving end of hiding before half-time.
The towering Belgian needed all of his two-metre (6 ft 7 in) frame to hook Erling Haaland’s header around the post.
Haaland had already been denied his 53rd goal of the season by Courtois with another downward header.
Rodri, John Stones and Jack Grealish also saw pot shots fly off target from the edge of the area, but Madrid’s luck finally ran out on 23 minutes.
Kevin De Bruyne broke loose as his pass found Silva inside the area, and he smashed it past Courtois’ left hand.