Real Madrid scored twice in the final 10 minutes against Manchester City at the Etihad to take a 3-2 lead back to Spain for the second leg of their Champions League play-off.
Pep Guardiola’s side threw away a 2-1 lead with four minutes of normal time remaining, as substitute Brahim Diaz — a former City player — and then Jude Bellingham completed a remarkable comeback for Madrid.
City had led twice in the game, both times through goals from Erling Haaland. The Norway striker put City ahead in the 19th minute with a well-taken finish, which was allowed to stand after a nearly four-minute VAR delay.
Kylian Mbappe drew Madrid level with a shinned volley on the hour mark, but Haaland restored City’s lead from the penalty spot after Phil Foden was fouled by Dani Ceballos.
But there was late drama as Diaz and then Bellingham struck to put Carlo Ancelotti’s side in control of this two-legged tie. The winner of this play-off will advance to the Champions League round of 16.
Our writers analyse the key talking points from a thrilling match at the Etihad…
How did City throw this away?
Guardiola described a clash with Real Madrid as being what Manchester City deserved after merely scraping into the Champions League play-offs with three wins in eight games. When the dust settles, he might reflect that they got what they deserved again this evening, having conceded two late goals to leave themselves with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
On 80 minutes they took a 2-1 lead, with Erling Haaland converting a penalty for his his second goal of the night, and at that point the story of the evening was the resilience and the spirit they had shown against a Madrid team who had looked more fluent and more incisive for much of the game.
But City shot themselves in the foot — and when it comes to the Champions League, there is no team more adept at punishing such slackness than Madrid. First goalkeeper Ederson’s weak clearance led, in a roundabout way, to an 86th-minute equaliser from former City youngster Brahim and then Bellingham won it for Madrid in stoppage time after Vinicius Junior beat Rico Lewis to the ball following a loose pass from Mateo Kovacic.
It leaves Madrid as strong favourites going into the second leg at the Bernabeu next Wednesday. City have struggled for rhythm, consistency and confidence all season and they will need a huge performance if they are to avoid missing out on the Champions League round of 16 for the first time since 2012-13.
Oli Kay
How tight was Haaland onside call?
The Etihad erupted after Haaland put the home side ahead with a left-footed finish from close range after Josko Gvardiol played a chested pass in his direction. Three minutes and 48 seconds later, another cheer went up around the stadium as the Champions League’s semi-automated offside technology confirmed the goal.
Haaland turns home (Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Gvardiol was visibly onside when the initial cross was played towards him, but he, and Haaland, had moved beyond the Madrid defence by the time the Croatia defender made contact. As long as Haaland was in line with or behind Gvardiol, he’d have been onside, but, as evidenced by the time it took for the technology to confirm, it was very tight.
As the name suggests, the technology eliminates the potential for human error, with the offside pictures taken from cameras in real time. It debuted in the Champions League in 2022-23 and was used at the 2022 World Cup. According to the Premier League, which has plans to bring in this technology this season, offside check delays should be reduced by 31 seconds.
The semi-automated replays (Movistar)
In this case, however, the check took so long that Alan Shearer intimated the wait may have had some relation to Jack Grealish being replaced due to a non-impact injury 10 minutes later.
“It certainly doesn’t help when you’ve got elite athletes standing around for almost four minutes,” Shearer said on co-commentary during Amazon Prime’s UK coverage of the match. “It cannot help you, or your body. It’s not acceptable that players are having to wait around for that long.”
Judging by this incident those marginal calls will continue to take time. At least we got the right decision, eh?
Elias Burke
Madrid’s shaky defence causes problems again
Madrid started the game well on top, with three clear attacks in the first 15 minutes, looking to take advantage of doubts in the City defence.
But it was Los Blancos’ own problematic back four which was punished first. Haaland had barely had a touch when he put City in front.
With stand-in right back Federico Valverde up the pitch, both Madrid centre-backs — converted midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and 21-year-old academy graduate Raul Asencio were pulled across towards the Norway striker.
But neither Tchouameni nor Asencio came close to City’s obvious danger man. He was able to lay the ball back to Jack Grealish, run into the penalty box and slam the ball home from Josko Gvardiol’s chest-down.
The goal was well-taken and the offside call very tight, but Madrid’s makeshift back four was totally disorganised. Which should not really have surprised anyone.
Last weekend, Ancelotti spoke of a “total emergency” in defence, and they have experienced bad luck with all of Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Lucas Vazquez out injured.
But such issues have been clear for most of the season, so the decision from the club hierarchy to not sign any new defensive cover in January was difficult to understand. And it is also difficult to see how they retain their Champions League title with either Tchouameni and/or Asencio in the back four. And yet, it did not seem to make a difference as they found that late, late Bellingham winner.
Dermot Corrigan
Mbappe’s luck continues
Mbappe’s first half season at Real Madrid was full of frustration. There were some bright moments and well taken goals, but even more frustrating games and high profile misses.
There was also a hint of that tonight in the first half — when Mbappe’s sent his first chance straight at Ederson, then just before half-time he curled wide when unmarked from 12 yards out.
But Mbappe’s goal tonight was his second big equaliser in four days and demonstrated how things are finally clicking for Madrid’s latest galactico.
(Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Last Saturday night at the Bernabeu, Mbappe reacted quickly when Jude Bellingham had a shot saved, and although his volley was half-hit into the ground it bounced out of the reach of Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Tonight Mbappe also made his own luck — his positioning in the City area and run into space to meet Dani Ceballos’ excellent floated pass were both impressive. And there was plenty of fortune in how his effort spun off his shin and looped way out of Ederson’s reach into the net.
But they all count, and the feeling is that after a difficult first six months at Madrid, Mbappe is now delivering in big games as required. This time, it led to a win in a big game.
Dermot Corrigan
Haaland breaks Madrid curse, but it’s not enough
Haaland has had his struggles against Madrid, including in the treble season when he was quiet at the Santiago Bernabeu and his father was thrown out of an executive box for allegedly throwing peanuts at Madrid fans.
Antonio Rudiger and others have generally marshalled Haaland brilliantly, but he was harder to thwart on Tuesday, perhaps because of the defensive woes that have beset Madrid.
But Haaland was clearly up for this one, whether heading away near post corners or pressing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. On top of his well-taken first goal — his first against Madrid in five meetings with them — he had to wait an age before taking his penalty, so credit is due for how he tucked it away so well.
It should also be noted that in this beleaguered City team he is by far and away their biggest goal threat. If it were not for him, there would not be an awful lot left. And, indeed, his performance was not enough to prevent a late City collapse.
Sam Lee
What did Pep Guardiola say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What did Carlo Ancelotti say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for City?
Saturday, February 15: Newcastle (H), Premier League, 3pm GMT, 10am ET
What next for Madrid?
Saturday, February 15: Osasuna (A), La Liga, 3.15pm GMT, 10.15am ET
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(Top photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
