Real Madrid staged a dramatic comeback at Manchester City, scoring twice in the final moments of the match to take a 3-2 lead into the second leg of their Champions League playoff. The encounter at the Etihad had City leading twice, with Erling Haaland finding the net first in the 19th minute. His goal was confirmed after a lengthy VAR check, showcasing the tight offside call that had the fans on edge.
Madrid equalized through Kylian Mbappe’s volley before Haaland restored City’s advantage with a penalty. With just minutes remaining, substitute Brahim Diaz, a former City player, leveled the score again, before Jude Bellingham secured the win for Madrid in stoppage time, putting them in a strong position for the return match in Spain.
Despite City’s moments of brilliance, particularly from Haaland, manager Pep Guardiola reflected that lapses in concentration cost his team the match. This inconsistency has been a theme for City this season, and they find themselves needing to overcome a significant deficit in the second leg to avoid missing out on the Champions League round of 16 for the first time in over a decade.
Real Madrid’s defensive fragility was evident, but their attacking depth ultimately shone through, a key factor that manager Carlo Ancelotti emphasized in his post-match comments, highlighting the importance of balance and teamwork. The match illustrated not only the resilience of Madrid but also their ability to capitalize on opportunities—a hallmark of their storied Champions League history.
Moving forward, Manchester City are set to face Newcastle in the Premier League, while Real Madrid will play against Osasuna in La Liga. Both teams need to carry the momentum from this match into their upcoming fixtures as they strive for success in both domestic and international competitions.