Manchester City and Real Madrid sold out a five-goal thriller in the first leg of the round of 32 fixture of the 2024/2025 UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
Fifteen-time champions, Real Madrid, had to come back twice to defeat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the first leg played at the Etihad.
Haaland shot Manchester City into the lead with a goal against the run of play in the ninth minute. The Norwegian connected to a pass from Vardiol to give City the lead.
Kylian Mbappe’s 60th-minute strike restored parity and swung the tide in favour of Real Madrid, who dominated most parts of the match.
City looked to have stolen a 2-1 win ahead of the second leg until their former player, Brahim Diaz, fired home the rebound to make it 2-2.
All signs were pointing to a 2-2 draw until English midfielder Jude Bellingham pulled the sucker punch to win the game 3-2, as Real Madrid produced yet another magical night in the Champions League.
The victory has given Madrid a huge advantage heading into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu in the next two weeks.
The winner of the tie will advance to the knockout phase of the revamped Champions League.
Watch the highlights below
