Dramatic Late Winner Seals Real Madrid Victory Over Manchester City in Champions League Clash
Manchester City suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie at the Etihad Stadium, with Jude Bellingham scoring a stoppage-time winner to snatch victory for the visitors. The match was a tale of two halves, with City initially taking control before Real Madrid’s trademark late surge turned the game on its head.
City started brightly, with Erling Haaland scoring twice—first with a well-constructed goal and then from the penalty spot after being fouled in the box. However, Real Madrid’s relentless attacking threat, led by Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, kept the hosts on edge. Mbappe’s deflected effort equalized before Haaland restored City’s lead, but the Premier League side’s defensive vulnerabilities resurfaced in the closing stages. Former City player Brahim Diaz leveled the score in the 86th minute, and Bellingham capitalized on a defensive lapse to seal the win in added time.
Pep Guardiola’s side, plagued by inconsistency this season, struggled to maintain composure under pressure. Guardiola acknowledged his team’s lack of stability, stating, “We are just not stable enough. I’ve been here for many years and we’ve been an extraordinary team, a machine every three days. This year, I accept when the opponent is better, but at the moment, I’m not good enough to give composure to the team.”
Real Madrid, meanwhile, showcased their trademark resilience and experience in European competition. Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s character and defensive discipline, noting, “We played a good game. We didn’t deserve to be down. It’s only the first half of the knockout tie, though. Anything can happen at the Bernabeu.”
The result leaves City with a mountain to climb in the second leg, as they head to Madrid needing a win to keep their Champions League hopes alive. For Real Madrid, the victory extends their reputation as masters of late-game heroics in Europe’s premier competition.
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