Manchester City go 22 matches unbeaten in Champions League: Stats
Manchester City have gone 22 matches unbeaten in the UEFA Champions League. The European champions played out a stunning 3-3 draw in the quarter-finals first-leg tie versus Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. It was a massive contest with both sides scoring fantastic goals and were tactically sharp. The match swung from one way to the other before ending all equal.
Real turned things around in the first half
Bernardo Silva scored a sensational second-minute free-kick with a low shot from 25 yards out. City led briefly as Edouard Camavinga's shot took a deflection off Ruben Dias and the ball went in. Within two minutes, Vinicius Junior provided a sublime pass for Rodrygo, who took the ball into the Real Madrid box and unleashed a fine shot. Real had presentable chances thereafter.
A roller-coaster second half on offer
Real started the second half strongly with Jude Bellingham and Vinicius shooting wide and over. Man City then drew two comfortable saves from Stefan Ortega. In the 66th minute, Foden unleashed a powerful left-footed screamer to make it 2-2. Five minutes later, City defender Josko Gvardiol whipped in a shot into the top corner. Vinicius then set up Federico Valverde for Real's third.
Key stats for Foden and Silva
Playing his 44th match in all competitions this season, Foden raced to 22 goals, including five in the Champions League. He owns 10 assists. In 262 matches in all competitions for the Premier League club, Foden owns 82 goals. Silva scored his 66th Man City goal from 346 appearances, including 11 this season. Silva managed his second Champions League goal this season.
Key stats Vinicius, Rodrygo and Valverde
Vinicius provided two assists in the match. The Brazilian winger has 25-plus goals involvement this season. He owns 18 goals and eight assists. Rodrygo scored his 16th goal for Real this season, including four in the Champions League. Overall, he owns 53 goals in 207 matches for Los Blancos. Playing his 247th match for Real, Valverde raced to 20 goals.
23 goals scored in five meetings since 2021-22
Real and City met for the third successive season in the knockout rounds of the Champions League (semi-finals in 2021-22 and 2022-23). There have been 23 goals scored in five meetings between these two sides. Real have won one of their last seven Champions League games against City (D5 L1). City saw their 10 successive wins in the competition come to an end.
Contrasting records for the two sides
As per Opta, Real have not lost any of their last 27 home games in all competitions (W21 D6). This is their best unbeaten run at home since September 2013 (G47 W40 D7). City are the first team to score three goals from outside the box in a Champions League away game against Real Madrid since at least 2003-04.
Silva scripted this Champions League record against Real
Silva's goal for City after 108 seconds is the second-earliest goal scored by a visiting side against Real at the Bernabeu in the Champions League, after only Mario Mandzukic for Juventus in April 2018 (77 seconds).
200 managerial matches for Ancelotti in the Champions League
Carlo Ancelotti reached 200 games managed in the Champions League, becoming the first manager to reach this milestone in the competition. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola made his 170th appearance as manager of the competition. As per Opta, the Spaniard is now winless in his last three games at the Bernabeu against Real (L1 D2).
Unique record for Vinicius
As per Squawka, Vinicius has now been directly involved in 15 goals against English opposition in the Champions League. He owns seven goals and eight assists. Notably, they've all come in the knockout rounds.
