Champions League knockout play-offs: Real Madrid pip Manchester City 3-2
What's the story
Real Madrid came twice from behind before beating Manchester City 3-2 in a crunch UEFA Champions League knockout play-offs first-leg clash at the Etihad.
Erling Haaland handed the hosts a crucial lead in the first half before Kylian Mbappe scored for Real in the 60th minute.
Haaland's 80th-minute penalty saw City regain their lead. However, Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham scored late on.
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13th meeting between the two sides in Champions League
This was the 13th meeting between the two clubs in the Champions League. Both sides have won four matches each with five games ending in a draw.
1-0
Haaland hands City a crucial lead
Real started the game on a strong note and had a penalty awarded to them but an offside call from the assistant referee meant there was no penalty.
Moments later Real missed a glorious chance before Haaland scored which was crafted beautifully by a combination of Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol.
Thereafter, Vinicius Junior's effort crashed the crossbar before Grealish went off injured.
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City take 1-0 lead into half-time
Phil Foden replaced Grealish and he made Thiabut Courtois make a strong save. City were solid and passed the ball well. Real struggled to get a hold. However, just before half-time, Federico Valverde fired narrowly over the bar. Mbappe then wasted a big chance.
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Match stats from the 1st half
City had six shots with Real managing nine. Both sides had two shots on target. Real had 15 touches in the opposition box to City's 11. The hosts had 56% ball possession.
Response
Mbappe levels for Real
The 2nd half started with Haaland hammering the crossbar, via a Edouard Camavinga deflection. City came close to a second.
Real grew into the contest and Bellingham missed a big chance (53'). Two minutes later, Mbapped was denied by Ederson.
Five minutes later, Dani Ceballos dinked a lovely pass over the top and Mbappe caught the ball on his shin before scoring.
Swing
Real dominate before Haaland scores a penalty
After Mbappe's goal, City were feeling the heat as Valverde's shot missed the post narrowly. Ederson then denied Bellingham with a brilliant save.
As the match progressed, Ceballos' clumsy challenge inside the box on Foden handed City a penalty.
Haaland made no mistake from the spot to score his 2nd goal home fans at the stadium erupted.
Real
A comeback win for Los Blancos
Former City player, Diaz, made it 2-2 in the 86th minute after Ederson palmed Vinicius' effort straight to the former.
It was a brilliant finish from Diaz as City were pegged back.
In injury-time, Bellingham scored what was the winner to break City hearts. City made mistakes at the back and looked nervous as Vinicius' cross-cum-shot saw the midfielder tuck the ball in.
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Here are the match stats
Real Madrid clocked 20 shots to City's 11. Carlo Ancelotti's men had 8 shots on target to the hosts' 4. City had 21 touches in the opposition box. Real managed 32 such touches. Pep Guardiola's men had 54% ball possession.
Defensive woes
City's defensive woes: Decoding the stats
City have conceded a whopping seven goals in the final 15 minutes of matches in the Champions League this season.
Moreover, the Citizens have conceded 57 goals in 38 games in all competitions this season. As per Opta, this is three more than they did in 59 games last term.
Only in 2016-17 (60) have they conceded more in a campaign under manager Guardiola.
Duo
Key numbers for Haaland and Mbappe
Haaland owns 27 goals in all competitions this season from 34 matches. Overall, he has 117 goals for City in 132 appearances.
He owns 26 Champions League goals for City, including 8 this season. Haaland has 49 Champions League goals in total.
Meanwhile, Mbappe has 24 goals in 36 games for Real, including 4 in the UCL.
Overall, Mbappe has 52 Champions League goals.
Do you know?
34th goal for Bellingham in Real Madrid colors
Bellingham now owns 11 goals for Real this season from 33 games, including three in the Champions League. In addition to his 11 goals, he has bagged 10 assists. Overall, he owns 34 goals and 23 assists for the club from 75 appearances.
Opta stats
Worrying numbers for City
City have lost five different games in which they've led in all competitions this season. This is now as many as they did in 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 combined.
As mentioned, City conceded 20 shots against Real tonight. This is the most any away team has had in a game at the Etihad in any competition since Guardiola's arrival.