Real Madrid beats Manchester City in the Champions League playoffs
With a goal from Mbappé’s shin, another from Brahim Díaz and the decisive one from Bellingham in injury time, the Spanish giants gain the advantage
Real Madrid is f…!
First of all, it was a great game. Manchester City had one of their best performances of the season. The problem was that on the other side was Real Madrid . The greatest European champion, which always rises from the ashes. The Spanish giant was behind on two occasions, but managed to turn the game around 3-2 this Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium, in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 playoffs . Haaland opened the scoring in the 19th minute of the first half. Mbappé equalized — with a shin kick — in the 15th minute of the second half. Then, at the end of the game, the Norwegian center forward scored again, from the penalty spot, Brahim Díaz equalized at 2-2, and in injury time Bellingham scored the winning goal.
Finally, victory at the Etihad
This was the 13th meeting between Manchester City and Real Madrid, all in the Champions League. And the Spanish team had never won at the Etihad . From 2012/13 until today, there had been seven games in England, and Real had lost four and drawn three times. It was the Spanish team’s worst away record in the Champions League, at the same stadium.
Real in advantage
The return leg between Real Madrid and Manchester City will be next week, on Wednesday to be precise, at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. With this 3-2 victory, Real will now play for a draw . A simple victory for City will take the game to penalties.
