Real Madrid rallied from behind twice to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League tie at the Etihad Stadium. Jude Bellingham scored the decisive goal in stoppage time, adding to the mounting pressure on City.
Erling Haaland initially put City ahead twice, netting his first goals in five games against Madrid, but the holders quickly responded through Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz, with Bellingham striking in the 92nd minute during his return to England.
The defeat puts City in a challenging position as they prepare for the second leg in Spain on February 19. This match marked the fourth consecutive season the clubs have met in the Champions League, with the winner advancing to claim the trophy in each of the previous three encounters.
The matchup was further fueled by tensions stemming from Madrid’s decision to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony, where City midfielder Rodri was crowned the winner. The decision was made due to Vinicius Junior being overlooked for the award, leading to resentment that was palpable in the buildup to the match, notably highlighted by a banner referencing Rodri’s achievement.
Rodri’s absence due to a season-ending knee injury has significantly impacted City’s performance, leaving them 15 points behind in the Premier League standings. Historically, Madrid had struggled at the Etihad, conceding four goals in two of their previous visits, but this time they began by creating numerous early chances to unsettle City.
Vinicius faced hostility from the home crowd, with fans celebrating when his penalty attempt was disallowed for offside. City opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a well-executed team goal, as Haaland found the net after a clever setup from Josko Gvardiol.
Despite City’s early lead, Madrid responded positively, hitting the woodwork and making an impressive attempt to equalize. Ancelotti’s defense was tested, with Haaland remaining a constant threat throughout the match.
Madrid’s persistence paid off in the second half, as Mbappe leveled the score with a fortuitous finish that caught Ederson off guard. However, City regained the lead when Haaland converted a penalty after being fouled by Ceballos.
With City seemingly in control, Madrid struck back swiftly. Diaz, who had just come onto the pitch, scored against his former club, followed by Bellingham’s late goal, sealing a memorable comeback for the visitors.
Credit: Aljazeera
