Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time winner saw Real Madrid twice come from behind to beat Manchester City 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off.
Erling Haaland had looked to have won the game at the Etihad Stadium from the penalty spot late on with his second of the night, restoring the lead after Kylian Mbappe had levelled on the hour with a mis-hit volley. But City collapsed in the final moments.
Brahim Diaz netted with a first-time shot on the rebound against his former club before Bellingham had the final say, latching onto the ball with the goalkeeper beaten after Vinicius Junior had robbed Rico Lewis and lofted the ball over Ederson. Cruel.
Madrid will feel they created more than enough to win it but the manner of the result was tough on Pep Guardiola’s side and leaves them with much to do against the European champions when they meet in the Bernabeu for a place in the last 16.
How it fell apart for City
It was a thrilling game. Madrid piled on the pressure early on. Vinicius, greeted with a banner of Rodri kissing the Ballon d’Or and booed throughout, was taken down in the box by Ederson only for the offside flag to deny him. Nathan Ake produced a big block.
And then, enter Haaland. It was a gorgeous pass by Jack Grealish, just about his final act before going off injured. He found Josko Gvardiol who nodded down for Haaland to finish. There was a long wait for VAR but the goal stood. City’s confidence flooded back.
There was still time for Vinicius and Manuel Akanji both to hit the frame of the goal before the break, Haaland himself immediately after it. City were in a heavyweight game, the question was always going to be whether they would be able to sustain it. (SkySports)