Real Madrid clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League play-off, held at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. The match, witnessed by 52,081 spectators, saw Manchester City leading twice, only for Real Madrid to mount a resilient comeback. Erling Haaland's brace for Manchester City was overshadowed by late goals from Kylian Mbappe, Brahim Diaz, and Jude Bellingham for Real Madrid.
Manchester City took the early advantage with Erling Haaland's two goals, one of which came from the penalty spot. Jack Grealish set up Haaland's first goal with a sublime pass before being sidelined with an injury shortly after. The home side appeared to be in control, but Real Madrid's persistence paid off when Kylian Mbappe found the net with a mis-hit volley in the 60th minute, leveling the score and shifting momentum.
Real Madrid's equalizer came amid a chaotic moment when Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson was wrong-footed by Mbappe's shot. As the match progressed, Real Madrid continued to press forward, capitalizing on Manchester City's defensive lapses. The turning point arrived when Brahim Diaz scored an equalizing goal in the 86th minute with a precise first-time shot on the rebound.
Manchester City's Rico Lewis played a crucial role in Real Madrid's second goal when he was dispossessed by Vinicius Junior, allowing Diaz to seize the opportunity. Despite being booed throughout the match, Vinicius Junior's relentless efforts troubled Manchester City's defense consistently.
In stoppage time, Jude Bellingham sealed the victory for Real Madrid by latching onto a loose ball and finding the back of the net with the goalkeeper beaten. His decisive goal not only secured the win but also highlighted his pivotal role in the team's comeback.
"We took our chance in the end." – Jude Bellingham
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his disappointment post-match, acknowledging that his team might feel they squandered their chances despite taking the lead twice. The loss leaves Manchester City with a challenging task ahead in the second leg, especially as they juggle their commitments in the FA Cup and are still early in their season campaign.
Real Madrid's victory was not just about capitalizing on Manchester City's errors but also showcased their capability to create numerous scoring opportunities. The match served as a turning point for them, instilling confidence as they look forward to the next leg.
Despite their defeat, Manchester City can draw positives from certain aspects of their performance. Haaland's form remains impeccable, and Grealish's creativity was evident until his untimely injury. Nevertheless, they will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities if they aim to overturn the 3-2 deficit in the upcoming fixture.
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