Match Report and Player Ratings: Manchester City 2-3 Real Madrid (UEFA Champions League Last-16 Play-Off First Leg) | OneFootball

A glamour UEFA Champions League play-off tie between Manchester City and Real Madrid – the teams to claim the competition’s last three titles – ended in another big-stage bottle-job from the Blues and a 2-3 win for the holders.

City fans might have been wary of a repeat of past European disasters when they saw Pep Guardiola’s unusual team selection pre-match, but they rode out early pressure to dominate the first-half and take the lead through Erling Haaland.

Kylian Mbappe bundled in an equaliser in the second-half before Haaland seemed to have sealed a win with a penalty, but former City man Brahim Diaz scored off the bench and Jude Bellingham snuck in a late winner to leave Guardiola’s men staring down the barrel of an exit.

It was an occasion worthy of the final and the Etihad Stadium created an initial atmosphere to match the glitzy affair built around the contest, although Real Madrid provided the early fireworks.

They were first denied a penalty for Ederson’s foul on Vinicius Junior only by the offside flag, then by the goalkeeper’s save from Kylian Mbappe, and finally heroically by Nathan Ake’s last-ditch block as Ferland Mendy almost walked it in.

It’s often said of Madrid that they’ll punish you if you don’t take your chances, but after those early openings for the visitors, Manchester City turned the tables.

A wonderful team move ended with Jack Grealish clipping the ball over the top for Josko Gvardiol to chest it down for Haaland to touch beyond Thibaut Courtois, and after a lengthy VAR check to ensure the Norwegian was onside, City had an unlikely lead.

The Madrid threat wasn’t abated by the goal though and Vincius Junior, who is no stranger to coming close but not quite close enough, almost grabbed an immediate equaliser with a looping shot which deflected off Manuel Akanji and onto the bar.

It was the first time all season City had a fully-fit squad (outside of long-term absentees Oscar Bobb and Rodri) but it only lasted half an hour, as the lively Grealish was forced off with injury and replaced by Phil Foden. The 24-year-old quickly stung Courtois’ gloves from range, before Akakji headed onto the crossbar from the resulting corner.

Real Madrid were the side on top at the end of the opening period but City came back out from the break rejuvenated, and Haaland was denied a second by the woodwork seconds after the restart. Madrid were quickly back in stride too though and Ederson was again required to deny Mbappe.

The Frenchman couldn’t be kept out for long though, scuffing a volley into the top corner from Dani Ceballos’ lofted through ball to make it 1-1, and the Spanish champions had chances to hit a quick-fire second when Federico Valverde flashed one right across the face of goal, then Jude Bellingham was allowed to wander in behind and shoot into Ederson.

It had the feel, as games often have this season, that it was slipping away from City and that it was only a matter of time before they fell behind, but out of nowhere Foden won a penalty with an outstanding piece of trickery to draw a foul from Ceballos, and Haaland stepped up and stroked past Courtois with consummate ease.

That should have seen the Blues through to next week’s second leg with the advantage, but a rare kicking error from Ederson allowed Vini Junior to shoot off his compatriot and former City man Diaz to follow in with a late equaliser.

And they somehow conspired to throw it away and give Madrid the win in the last minute as Vinicius Junior ran in behind and flicked over Ederson, allowing Bellingham to follow in and probably put the nail in City’s Champions League coffin – here’s how we rated the players from Manchester City’s European collapse to Real Madrid.

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Ederson – 5.5

The offside flag saved his blushes from conceding an early penalty, but he quickly sharpened up to keep out Mbappe and went on to make a number of other important saves on a busy night. Maybe could have held the initial shot before Diaz’s equaliser, and certainly shouldn’t have given the ball away cheaply in the build-up.

Manuel Akanji – 6

Caught ball-watching a little during Madrid’s spell of dominance at the start, before getting to grips with his role moving into the midfield and becoming a good outlet. Clamped Vinicius Junior too, but was forced off at half-time with a knock.

Ruben Dias – 7

Brought straight back in from injury to marshal City’s backline, and whilst the defence was far from airtight, Dias provided his usual determination and tough tackling. Desperately tried and failed to track back as they stole the win.

Nathan Ake – 6

Played sensible and risk-averse stuff in possession, and although he lost Mbappe for Madrid’s first equaliser, was solid in his first hour back from injury.

Josko Gvardiol – 7.5

Given license to roam from left-back as ever, and used it to be one of the game’s most prominent figures. Tracked back to defend and supported the attack, assisting Haaland smartly.

John Stones – 7

Could have buckled under the pressure of playing in lone defensive midfield, but seemed to revel in it and controlled proceedings. Even dropped into the backline to help relieve stress on them, not that it was enough.

Bernardo Silva – 6.5

Knows what games like this are all about, especially against this opponent, so this will hurt. Fought for every ball when out of possession, keeping it well too, but not having much threat.

Kevin de Bruyne – 6

Belayed his advancing years to run tirelessly for his team. Couldn’t quite produce his creative magic to force another goal or two though.

Savinho – 6

Never shirked his defensive duties, always tracking back against compatriots Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. Didn’t have quite the same proficiency going the other way.

Erling Haaland – 7.5

Will have been hungry to prove his worth against one of the few opponents he has never notched against, and certainly did that. Refused to give the Madrid backline a moment’s rest and was prolific with his chances.

Jack Grealish – 6.5

A real shame that he had to be withdrawn inside half an hour, not just because of the faith shown by Pep Guardiola to throw him into this game off the back of very little gametime recently, but because he was very impressive in his control of the match and significant contribution to City’s opening goal.

Substitutes

Phil Foden – 7

Played with some freedom and sprayed the ball around from his right-wing berth. Quality play to win the penalty.

Rico Lewis – 5

Recovered from a rocky first duel with Vini to largely shut him down. Wasn’t sharp enough to clear the ball away for their winner.

Mateo Kovacic – 4

Unfortunately, his telling contribution was a terrible giveaway to allow Madrid in for the win.

Ilkay Gundogan – N/A

Omar Marmoush – N/A