By Samuel Akpan with agency report
Manchester City’s hopes of advancing in the Champions League play-off suffered a major blow after a stunning late 3-2 victory by Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium.
City were just four minutes away from taking a one-goal lead into the second leg, but goals from Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham snatched the advantage for the defending champions.
Erling Haaland had put City in front with a confident finish after 19 minutes, and despite Real’s sustained pressure, Haaland’s second goal of the match from the spot appeared to have sealed a narrow win for City.
However, Diaz’s equalizer and Bellingham’s late winner turned the game on its head, leaving City’s hopes hanging in the balance.
City’s performance was marred by injuries, with Jack Grealish going off after half an hour.
Despite a bright start, City’s tired legs were exposed by Real’s relentless pressure, and the visitors’ quality eventually told.
The defeat leaves City facing a mammoth task to turn the tie around in the second leg at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid’s victory was a trademark comeback by the 15-time champions, who posed a threat all night with the pace of Kylian Mbappe and the trickery of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior.
Madrid’s gaffer Carlo Ancelotti was animated throughout the match, urging his team on as they scented victory.
The win will give Real confidence ahead of the second leg, and it’s hard to see how City can turn the tie around in their current form.
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