A late, late goal from Jude Bellingham has given Real Madrid a one-goal advantage going into their blockbuster second leg against Manchester City next week.
Erling Haaland had given City the lead twice before equalisers from Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz in this Champions League last-16 play-off. Bellingham then popped up in the 92nd minute and scored a simple tap-in, as the Premier League champions once again threw the game away.
Tuesday’s first leg marked the fourth successive year in which City have met Madrid in the knockout stages, and the fifth time in six seasons. Both clubs finished outside the top eight in the league phase of the new Champions League format and were forced into a play-off round to reach the last 16, where Celtic or Bayern Munich – who play their first leg on Wednesday – await.
Here are six talking points from a dramatic night at the Etihad.
1. Rodri savours the moment mocking Vinicius Jr
Our first talking point comes away from the pitch and in the stands. Rodri, who’s been sidelined since September after rupturing his ACL, was spotted taking a photograph as City fans unfurled a banner showing him kissing the Ballon d’Or.
The text read ‘Stop Crying Your Heart Out’, mocking Vincius Junior and his Real team-mates who snubbed the Ballon d’Or ceremony because they were so outraged about Rodri winning it instead of the Brazilian. City fans all around the stadium booed Vinicius, who nearly silenced them early on when he was clattered by Ederson in the box, only for the penalty to be quickly ruled out for offside.
Vinicius didn’t have to wait long for his next chance, as Ferland Mendy got in behind City’s defence and squared a pass to him. However, the Madrid star’s poor touch let him down and the hosts’ mangled defence managed to clear the ball away. Just 10 minutes in, the signs were ominous for City.
2. Haaland breaks his duck after narrow VAR call
They may be soft in the middle but City are still scintillating up front. Working the ball from side to side in their defensive third to pull Real out of their shape, Kevin De Bruyne dropped deep to start the move. Wearing the captain’s armband, De Bruyne gave the ball to Josko Gvardiol, who’d come inside from left-back and produced a superb drilled pass on his weaker right foot to find Erling Haaland upfield.
City’s No.9, who hadn’t scored in his previous four games against Madrid, held the ball up for Jack Grealish, who collected it and dinked the ball towards the onrushing Gvardiol. Turning his body to receive it, the City defender deftly chested the ball into Haaland’s path and he finished coolly past Thibaut Courtois.
An unusually long VAR check – at least for European competitions – followed to determine whether or not Haaland was onside but eventually, the beautifully-worked goal stood. City were ahead against the run of play, punishing Madrid’s makeshift defence.
3. Gutted Grealish forced off
Having played an integral part in City’s opener, Grealish looked set for one of his best performances of late before injury cruelly struck. The England international dropped to his haunches on the half-hour mark and was immediately subbed off, with Phil Foden called on to replace him.
It was only Grealish’s second start in the last month, having watched the entirety of City’s previous three games from the bench before Saturday’s FA Cup win at Leyton Orient. His early withdrawal prompted a change of sides for team-mate Savinho, who moved over to the left wing as Foden entered the fray on the right.
4. Mbappe gets third time lucky
Elegant as he may be, it took a scrappy goal for Kylian Mbappe to finally get on the scoresheet. After being perfectly teed up in the first half for what looked like a typical Mbappe goal, the Frenchman skied his effort over the bar.
Then early in the second half, Mbappe forced Ederson into a good save at his near post when he should’ve done better. It threatened to be a night of frustration for the visitors when Jude Bellingham got his header wrong a few minutes later but Mbappe would soon level the scores.
A Madrid free-kick cannoned off Bernardo Silva, who was on the floor behind the wall, and back towards Dani Ceballos, who dinked it over to Mbappe. The Real striker rather unorthodoxly made a connection with his shin and the ball seemed to take an age to loop over Ederson’s shoulder cross the line – but it did.
Who’ll reach the last 16 – Man City or Real Madrid? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
5. Haaland doubles up – but was it a penalty?
You wait four games for a goal against Real Madrid and then two come at once. This, like Haaland’s first goal of the night, was tinged with controversy, though.
Ceballos was adjudged to have brought Foden down inside the penalty area, although some fans thought that the contact was made outside. Clement Turpin, one of Europe’s top referees, pointed to the spot and VAR chose not to intervene.
It was only Courtois who could stop Haaland, who sent the big Belgian the wrong way and coolly restored City’s lead. That strike brought him onto 49 goals in 48 Champions League games. Incredible – but he couldn’t do it all for Guardiola’s side.
6. Diaz comes back to haunt City before Bellingham breaks hearts
Even Haaland’s goals aren’t enough for City these days. As they looked to close out the win, Ederson played a terrible pass into midfield, easily collected by Bellingham. Vinicius’ initial effort was saved but the rebound allowed Brahim Diaz, the former City prospect, a straightforward finish and he duly tucked home before a subdued celebrations.
It looked like the game would end level but then Bellingham became the hero. His header fell to Mateo Kovacic and the Croatian’s pass was cut out by Vinicius. He dinked the ball over Ederson and Bellingham beat John Stones in a foot race to tap home and clinch a 3-2 win.
So it’s off to the Bernabeu next Wednesday for round two. City have bad memories of the Spanish capital, having infamously squandered a two-goal lead there during the final few minutes of an epic semi-final clash in 2022.
Real will hope to be in better shape defensively by the second leg but there’s not much time for their stars to recover either side of a trip to Osasuna, as they bid to stay top of La Liga. City, meanwhile, host Newcastle at the same time on Saturday afternoon.
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