Real Madrid Stage Dramatic Comeback to Defeat Manchester City in Champions League Thriller

In a pulsating UEFA Champions League first-leg play-off tie at the Etihad Stadium, Real Madrid stunned Manchester City with a late comeback to seal a 3-2 victory. The result puts the La Liga giants in a commanding position ahead of the return leg in Madrid next week.

Manchester City got off to a flying start as Erling Haaland, ever the predator, pounced on a loose ball in the box to fire home after some excellent buildup play by Josko Gvardiol and Jack Grealish. Pep Guardiola’s side looked in control, taking their 1-0 lead into half-time.

However, Real Madrid came out with renewed intensity after the break. Kylian Mbappé, a constant threat, found the equalizer after Dani Ceballos’s cross into the box. Despite a scuffed volley, Mbappé’s shot nestled into the far corner to make it 1-1.

City restored their lead when Phil Foden earned a penalty after being brought down in the box. Haaland stepped up and confidently slotted home his second goal of the night, giving City a 2-1 advantage with just over 20 minutes left to play.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side, though, refused to back down. A misplaced pass from City goalkeeper Ederson allowed Vinícius Jr. to break into the box. Although Ederson saved Vinícius’s initial attempt, the ball rebounded to Brahim Diaz, who fired it into the back of the net to level the score at 2-2.

With just moments remaining, Real Madrid completed their stunning turnaround. Vinícius found himself through on goal once again, and his clever lob over Ederson set up Jude Bellingham to tap the ball into an empty net for the decisive 3-2 lead.

Statistically, Real Madrid’s dominance was reflected in their 3.42 expected goals, compared to City’s 1.6. City, who have now failed to win any of their last four Champions League games after scoring first this season, will need a monumental performance in Madrid to overturn this deficit.

Real Madrid’s resilience under pressure continues to be their hallmark, and they will be firm favorites heading into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. However, with Haaland in top form, Manchester City still pose a significant threat. The stage is set for another unforgettable night of Champions League drama.