Real Madrid pulled off a dramatic comeback to secure a 3-2 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout tie. The match will be remembered for Jude Bellingham’s last-minute winner, which not only sealed the win but also set a new record for Real Madrid in the competition.
The game started with Manchester City taking the lead in the 19th minute through Erling Haaland, who capitalized on a well-worked team effort. Haaland’s goal came after a long pass from Josko Gvardiol and a controlled chest pass from Jack Grealish. The home side looked dominant early on, but Real Madrid remained resilient and continued to threaten on the counter-attack1.
Real Madrid equalized in the 60th minute when Kylian Mbappé scored a freakish goal. The French forward’s miskicked volley wrongfooted Ederson and looped over the line, much to the delight of the visiting supporters. The match was finely balanced, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert them.
The turning point came in the 80th minute when Manchester City was awarded a penalty after Phil Foden was fouled in the box by Dani Ceballos. Haaland stepped up and converted the spot-kick, restoring City’s lead and seemingly putting the tie beyond Real Madrid’s reach1. However, the Spanish giants had other ideas.
In the 86th minute, Brahim Díaz, a former Manchester City player, scored the equalizer. The goal came from a rebound after Ederson parried a shot from Vinícius Jr. The Etihad Stadium was stunned, and the momentum had shifted in Real Madrid’s favor1.
The final twist came in the second minute of added time when Bellingham scored the decisive goal. Vinícius Jr robbed Rico Lewis and lofted the ball over Ederson, who was caught out of position. Bellingham sprinted onto the ball and tapped it into an empty net, sending the traveling Real Madrid fans into delirium1.
The victory not only gave Real Madrid a 3-2 lead heading into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu but also set a new record for the club in the Champions League. This was the latest in a series of dramatic comebacks that have become synonymous with Real Madrid’s European campaigns1.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s resilience and commitment. It was a complete performance by the team from an attacking point of view, and we showed that with the right levels of commitment, we can do anything,” Ancelotti said after the match1. “They all showed great commitment today and the quality of this team is never in doubt. This is the way forward.”
On the other hand, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his frustration at the manner of the defeat. We need to see games out better, that’s for sure,” Guardiola said. “We have to stay positive, which is difficult right now. Always I give credit to the opponent for the quality that they have. But when you arrive at the result at the end, it’s tough1. It happens many times, and for the players, it’s difficult.”
The match was a testament to the quality and depth of both squads, with standout performances from key players on both sides. For Real Madrid, Bellingham’s heroics will be remembered as a defining moment in their Champions League journey1. For Manchester City, it will be a painful reminder of the fine margins that separate success and failure at the highest level of European football.
As the tie moves to the second leg, all eyes will be on the Santiago Bernabéu to see if Real Madrid can defend their lead and advance to the next round. The stage is set for another thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to secure their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League1.
In conclusion, Real Madrid’s dramatic victory over Manchester City, sealed by Jude Bellingham’s last-minute winner, not only sets a new record for the club but also highlights their never-say-die attitude in the Champions League. The match will be remembered as a classic, with both teams showcasing their quality and resilience in a high-stakes encounter.
