Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham delivered a dramatic late goal to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff at the Etihad Stadium. This high-stakes encounter showcased top-tier football from both teams and set the stage for an exciting second leg in Madrid on February 19.
The match opened with Erling Haaland putting City ahead in the 19th minute, converting a volley after a great setup from Josko Gvardiol. Following a tense VAR review that confirmed the goal, Haaland’s strike marked his first career goal against Real Madrid. However, Real Madrid responded with Kylian Mbappé leveling the score in the 60th minute, converting a rebound after a free kick.
Haaland netted again from the penalty spot in the 80th minute after a foul in the box, making it his impressive 48th goal in just 49 Champions League appearances. Despite this lead, City continued their troubling trend of surrendering late goals in matches, as Brahim Díaz equalized in the 86th minute after capitalizing on a defensive error from City keeper Ederson.
In a nail-biting finish, Bellingham struck the decisive goal in stoppage time following a defensive mishap by Mateo Kovacic, leaving City fans in disbelief. After the match, Díaz reflected on the hard-fought victory, expressing satisfaction while acknowledging that the task is not yet finished with the second leg still to come.
Bellingham also shared insights on the game, emphasizing the team’s confidence and resilience: “We were always confident throughout the game that something would drop for us… It’s always tricky to play against them, and we finally took the chance at the end.”
Both teams faced the challenge of not qualifying automatically for the last 16, intensifying the stakes for this matchup. This encounter marks the fourth consecutive year these clubs have met in Champions League knockout ties, with Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, describing it as a “modern classic.”
Despite the setback, City’s defender John Stones remained optimistic about their chances in the return leg, acknowledging the disappointment but stressing the need to maintain a positive outlook. Ancelotti echoed this sentiment, encouraging his players to stay calm and focused on the next match.
This electrifying clash not only highlights the fierce rivalry between two of Europe’s football giants but promises an intriguing rematch in the upcoming weeks. Fans can look forward to another high-caliber display as both teams aim for a spot in the Champions League’s final stages.