Jude Bellingham snatched a stoppage-time winner as Real Madrid twice came from behind to defeat Manchester City 3-2 in the first leg of their blockbuster Uefa Champions League play-off tie on Tuesday.
Real Madrid mounted an impressive comeback at the Etihad Stadium, setting up a thrilling second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 19.
City’s Norwegian talisman Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 19th minute and later converted a penalty in the 80th minute, seemingly putting Pep Guardiola’s side in control.
However, Madrid responded with equalizers from Kylian Mbappé in the 60th minute and Brahim Diaz in the 86th minute, before Bellingham’s dramatic 92nd-minute strike secured a crucial away victory.
Haaland’s brace—his first goal in five matches against Madrid—looked to have given City a slender lead heading into the return leg. But the reigning European champions now return to Spain as strong favourites to reach the last 16.
Reflecting on the win, Bellingham told Amazon Prime:
“It was a weird one. We played some of our best football of the season and ended up behind.”
“We Finally Took the Chance at the End.
“I don’t care what form City are in—they are still an unbelievable team. It’s always tricky to play against them, and we finally took the chance at the end.”
The clash marked the fourth consecutive season that City and Madrid have met in the Champions League knockout rounds. Notably, the winner of each of their past three encounters has gone on to lift the trophy.
City started slowly but took the lead in the 19th minute when Josko Gvardiol chested down Jack Grealish’s pass, allowing Haaland to steer past Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid came close when Vinícius Júnior rattled the crossbar, while City’s Manuel Akanji also hit the woodwork with a header. Haaland was denied a second goal just after halftime when his deflected shot struck the post.
Madrid’s equaliser came on the hour mark in scrappy fashion—Dani Ceballos lobbed the ball into the box after a deflected free-kick, and Mbappé’s mishit volley looped in off his shin, leaving Ederson stranded.
City regained the lead 10 minutes from time when Phil Foden was fouled by Ceballos, allowing Haaland to convert from the spot.
But Madrid struck back in the 86th minute, punishing a poor clearance from Ederson as former City man Brahim Diaz slotted home. Then, in stoppage time, Bellingham capitalized on more defensive lapses to fire Madrid into the lead, sealing a dramatic 3-2 triumph.
John Stones: “It’s a Feeling of Anger and Frustration”
City defender John Stones admitted his side must improve their game management, saying:
“I don’t know how to put it into words straight away, it’s so raw and frustrating for everyone.”
“We need to see games out better. We need to step up when these bad moments happen.”
With everything still to play for, Madrid will look to finish the job when the second leg takes place at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 19.
