Manchester City find themselves in a battle to stay in the Champions League after Jude Bellingham’s injury-time strike gave Real Madrid the advantage in a tense first-leg playoff.
Pep Guardiola’s team showed glimpses of their best early at the Etihad Stadium, with Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol linking up to provide Erling Haaland a well-taken goal after 19 minutes.
Grealish’s promising display was cut short due to injury, and after Haaland rattled the crossbar early in the second half, Real Madrid took command.
Despite creating multiple openings, the Spanish side failed to capitalize until Kylian Mbappe converted a scrappy finish from close range on the hour mark.
Real continued to miss opportunities, with Bellingham among those unable to convert, and were made to pay when City regained the lead with Haaland’s penalty in the 80th minute, awarded after Dani Ceballos fouled Phil Foden.
However, Real struck back with four minutes left through former City player Brahim Diaz, before Bellingham arrived at the right moment to turn in the decisive goal, leaving the reigning champions with an uphill task ahead of the second leg at the Bernabeu.
Manchester City falter as pressure mounts
City started brightly, looking more like the side that has dominated in past seasons. Grealish was instrumental early on, and Haaland’s clinical finish gave them a deserved lead. However, the match turned when Grealish limped off after just 30 minutes.
Real Madrid had already begun threatening, utilizing the speed of Mbappe and the skill of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior. City’s failure to extend their lead proved costly, particularly when Haaland’s deflected shot bounced off the crossbar, a moment that could have shifted the entire tie.
As the game wore on, Real Madrid applied sustained pressure. City struggled physically, with key figures such as Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne showing signs of fatigue, while Ruben Dias and John Stones continued to manage their minutes carefully.
When Haaland’s penalty restored City’s lead, it momentarily appeared as though they might take an advantage into the second leg. However, their hopes were dashed in the closing moments as Real Madrid took full control, flipping the script from a potential draw to a painful defeat.
Guardiola’s side must now find a way to reignite their Champions League campaign in Madrid, an intimidating challenge given their current form.
Real Madrid’s experience proves decisive
Despite not being at their sharpest, Real Madrid’s ability to navigate high-stakes European encounters remains unmatched. This is the part of the season where their pedigree shines through.
Carlo Ancelotti, typically composed, showed moments of frustration as his team wasted a series of chances. Yet, Madrid’s persistence never wavered. When Mbappe equalized with an unconvincing finish, they immediately sought to push City further.
Haaland’s penalty momentarily disrupted their charge, but Madrid’s vast experience in the competition ensured they stayed composed. Recognizing City’s exhaustion, they capitalized, with Bellingham sealing a dramatic victory at the death.
With the second leg at the Bernabeu, a stadium where Madrid have overturned deficits time and time again, the reigning champions will need a significant turnaround to keep their title defense alive. Given their current state, the task appears daunting.
