Manchester City conceded twice in the final six minutes as Real Madrid snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory in the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off tie. Look back at the game with the best facts and Opta data in our Man City vs Real Madrid stats page.
Manchester City’s defensive frailties were once again on show as they conceded two late goals to surrender a 2-1 lead to Real Madrid. The 15-time champions scored twice in the last six minutes to turn defeat into victory, once again proving their remarkable resolve and ability to win from nowhere in the Champions League.
City looked in control when Erling Haaland’s brace had them leading 2-1, but Madrid’s resilience once again shone through. Jude Bellingham delivered the killer blow, pouncing on Vinícius Júnior’s ball to score with the last kick of the game.
Haaland had finally broke his four-game goal drought against Real Madrid, opening the scoring after 19 minutes, before converting from the penalty spot for his 49th Champions League goal, surpassing Andriy Shevchenko and Zlatan Ibrahimović (48 each) in the all-time charts in the process.
Kylian Mbappé had drawn Madrid level, scuffing a volley from a Dani Ceballos pass that somehow looped past Ederson. But when Haaland restored City’s lead, it looked like Pep Guardiola’s side would take an advantage to Spain.
Madrid had other ideas. A poor clearance from Ederson gifted possession to Madrid inside City’s half. Brahim Díaz then set up Vinícius Júnior who’s shot was saved, but Díaz followed up to equalise. Then came the winner: Mateo Kovacic’s poked back pass led to Vinícius stealing in ahead of Rico Lewis before dinking the ball over Ederson. It was rolling wide, but Bellingham beat John Stones to the ball to tap in and complete the comeback.
Despite the apparent smash-and-grab nature of Madrid’s victory, they carried a constant threat, registering 20 shots in total; the most by an away side at the Etihad since Pep Guardiola took charge.
With the second leg in Madrid still to come, this Champions League knockout tie is far from over. Expect another classic when these two giants meet again.
Our Opta match centre delivers you all the Man City vs Real Madrid stats from their UEFA Champions League meeting at the Etihad.
The match centre below includes team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and more. It gives you everything you need to do your own post-match analysis.
Underneath the match centre you can find the official Opta stats on the game as well.
Man City 2-3 Real Madrid: Post-Match Stats:
- Manchester City have failed to win any of their last four UEFA Champions League games in which they’ve scored first, with all those coming this season (1-4 v Sporting CP, 3-3 v Feyenoord, 2-4 v PSG, 2-3 v Real Madrid).
- Manchester City failed to win a UEFA Champions League game in which they led twice for the third time, and first time ever at the Etihad Stadium. All three occasions have been against Real Madrid (also September 2012 and April 2024).
- Manchester City lost a UEFA Champions League game in which they led at half-time for the first time since April 2018 (1-2 v Liverpool), having been unbeaten in 32 games before tonight (W29 D3).
- Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid) is the first English player to score a UEFA Champions League goal against an English side for two different clubs.
- Manchester City have conceded 57 goals in 38 games in all competitions this season, three more than they did in 59 games last term. Only in 2016-17 (60) have they conceded more in a campaign under Pep Guardiola.
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