Jude Bellingham snatched a stoppage-time winner as Real Madrid twice came from behind to beat Manchester City 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off, while Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) thrashed Brest 3-0 on Tuesday.
Erling Haaland’s double looked to have secured City a slender advantage, but instead, the reigning European champions now go into next week’s return leg in Spain as strong favourites to reach the last 16.
It is the fourth consecutive season City and Madrid have met in the knockout phase of the competition, with the winner in each of the past three encounters going on to lift the Champions League trophy.
City overcame a slow start at the Etihad and took the lead in the 19th minute as Haaland steered past Thibaut Courtois after Josko Gvardiol chested down a pass from Jack Grealish.
Vinicius Junior hit the crossbar for Madrid before City defender Manuel Akanji did likewise with a header, while Haaland was denied a second goal right after half-time when his deflected shot came back off the woodwork.
Madrid equalised on the hour after the City wall blocked a free-kick, with Dani Ceballos clipping the ball back into the area where Mbappe’s mishit volley looped into the net after coming off his shin and leaving Ederson stranded.
Man City to face Real Madrid in UCL play-off as Celtic meet Bayern
City regained the lead 10 minutes from time as Haaland stuck away a penalty after Phil Foden was clattered by Ceballos.
But former City player Brahim Diaz levelled for Madrid in the 86th minute after a dreadful kick by Ederson, and Bellingham punished the hosts for more suspect defending as the England midfielder struck the winning goal at the death.
In France, Ousmane Dembele continued his sensational goalscoring form as he netted twice for PSG in a 3-0 win over Brest.
Vitinha stroked home a penalty awarded after a VAR review for a handball by Brest midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou.
Juventus also won 2-1 at home to PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their tie in Turin.
Borussia Dortmund are on the cusp of the last 16 after winning 3-0 away to Sporting Lisbon.
The Kwara State Government has directed all public and private schools in the state to…
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has dismissed reports claiming it has halted its student loan…
Meta is preparing to roll out the first phase of significant job cuts on May…
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed the arrest of two candidates and…
Iran's military declared the Strait of Hormuz closed again on Saturday, hours after reopening it,…
The Lagos State Government has stepped up its campaign to end open defecation, revealing that…
This website uses cookies.