- Real Madrid snatched a 3-2 victory at the Etihad with two goals in final five minutes
- Pep Guardiola's bold selection call paid off in first half
- Vinicius Junior had last laugh
- Real Madrid scored twice late to win first leg of play-off tie
- Man City collapsed again after impressive performance
- Jude Bellingham struck winner in stoppage time
Real Madrid will take a 3-2 lead into the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie with Manchester City following some stunning late drama at the Etihad.
The hosts were impressive in the first half and looked like they would boast a 2-1 lead ahead of next week's return fixture at the Bernabeu, but Pep Guardiola's side conspired to collapse late on again as they allowed Madrid to steal victory.
Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham were the late goalscorers for the visitors, who are now big favourites to advance into the round of 16.
How the game unfolded
"It's a nightmare preparing for games against him because he always has ideas that make you think," Carlo Ancelotti noted pre-match, speaking of Guardiola. The Man City boss certainly raised eyebrows with his team selection on Tuesday night, picking five centre-halves, as he opted for John Stones to reprise his role at the base of midfield over Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan.
The Etihad was rather morbid two weeks ago for a must-win encounter against Club Brugge, but there was doubtlessly a grander sense of occasion here with the holders in town. An electric atmosphere was aided by a frantic opening to the contest, as City pressed with vigour and Madrid boasted a threat every time they gathered forward momentum.
The hosts ought to have been behind early on with Madrid playing through City to tee up Kylian Mbappe's first shot on target of the night, before Ferland Mendy had a goal-bound effort expertly blocked by Nathan Ake.
Madrid's lack of punch in front of goal quickly proved costly as City went ahead following a sparkling sequence of their own. The culmination was Erling Haaland's first-ever goal against the perennial European champions. Guardiola's side steadied thereafter and asserted impressive control on the contest thanks to their overload in central areas and more measured approach without the ball which limited Madrid's moments in open space.
Substitute Phil Foden, who entered the fray for Jack Grealish, tested Thibaut Courtois with a fierce effort from range and Manuel Akanji flicked the crossbar with a header from a set piece. City, however, didn't add to their lead, and Madrid came on strong to conclude a superb first half with the majestic front four starting to have their say.
Mbappe ought to have equalised when he was left all alone on the left side of City's box, but his first-time effort was wild.
The hosts were excellent for a large chunk of the opening period, but there was a sense of inevitability regarding Madrid's equaliser at the start of the second half. Jude Bellingham skewed a header wide and Mbappe forced another save out of Ederson before the Frenchman eventually restored parity with a sliced volley which was reluctant to kiss the back of City's net.
It looked like City were fading, but Madrid couldn't seize the momentum in the aftermath of the leveller. The sting dissipated out of the contest and the hosts took advantage when Dani Ceballos crashed into Foden, forcing Clement Turpin to point to the spot. Haaland netted his second, and that should've been that...
Alas, City contrived to surrender their advantage with an inexplicable finale. A poor Ederson clearance kick-started the sequence which led to Brahim Diaz's leveller before Vinicius Junior broke in behind, lobbed a wayward effort beyond the onrushing City goalkeeper which allowed Bellingham to poke home a stoppage-time winner.
