Real Madrid faced Manchester City in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and both sides played for a win. It was a thrilling 3-3 draw, typical of Champions League nights.
It was a beautiful night in Madrid as the hosts faced the defending champions for the third season in a row. The past two UCL winners played an end-to-end match that had everything the football fans loved. This great match showed how things can change completely in a few minutes. Additionally, it will be regarded as one of the best matches in the competition history for many years to come.
The match began with an early surprise. Only one minute into the game, Aurelien Tchouameni knocked Jack Grealish to the ground. Therefore, the Frenchman received a yellow card and he’ll miss the second leg. Bernardo Silva took the free kick quickly and caught Lunin off guard to put Man City in front just 2 minutes after the kick-off.
In the 7th minute, Jack Grealish found Erling Haaland in a good position. The striker fired from a tight angle which was saved by Lunin in the near post and then Rudiger blocked Grealish’s shot to save Real Madrid from an early disaster.
The match tune changed very quickly with a bit of luck in Madrid’s favor and the hosts drew level with their first Shot on goal in the 12th minute. Carvajal passed the ball from the right to Eduardo Camavinga, who came inside and took a shot at goal. His shot was deflected off Ruben Dias and Ortega could not prevent it from going in.
Just two minutes later, Real Madrid scored again to take the lead. A great pass by Vinicius found Rodrygo, who beat Manuel Akanji to the ball. Rodrygo took the ball to the box and hit a low shot to put Real Madrid ahead. Like their first goal, this one also came from a deflection. The ball hit Akanji’s leg before going in.
The Match was evenly balanced in the next 15 minutes. In the 31st Minute, Stefan Ortega saved Rodrygo’s shot. 2 minutes later, Jack Grealish was denied once again and his shot was blocked by Rudiger. On the counterattack, Rodrygo’s shot went wide and the visitors escaped.
Akanji was the second player to be booked. He fouled Vinicius in the 37th minute. Four minutes later, the Brazilian took a shot at the target, which was saved by Ortega. Man City’s high-line defense cost them and the host were better in the second part of the first half. The score remained 2-1 at the half-time.
The first chance in the second half came in the 49th minute. Jack Grealish found the space in the left flank, but his shot went wide. 4 minutes later, Jude Bellingham could score for the hosts, but the England star missed the target. The match was end to end in the next few minutes as Rordi, Vinicius and Bernardo Silva came close to scoring respectively.
In the 66th minute, Man City who were the better side in the second half, equalised with a fantastic shot from Phil Foden. The young star took the ball from Stones and curled it into the top corner and Lunin could do nothing about that. Real Madrid’s defense did a poor job in leaving Foden alone and the City boy who is at his peak in these days, turned the match around.
Five minutes later, Jack Grealish faced Carvajal on the right side of the hosts’ defense. When the Mardid’s captain dropped back, Grealish passed the ball to Josko Gvardiol on the edge of the box and the City defender scored with a perfect shot into the far post. The visitors went ahead of their rival and looked in control.
After Man City’s third goal, Carlo Ancelotti made two substitutions. Luka Modric and Brahim Diaz came in for Toni Kroos and Rodrygo. A few minutes later, Vinicius Junior’s cross found Fede Valverde in free space, and the Uruguayan midfielder equalised with a great powerful shot. Now the Match was balanced again and the hosts showed they don’t wanna give up easily.
In the 81st minute, Carvajal fouled Grealish to prevent a counter-attack and received a yellow card. A few minutes later, Phil Foden felt something in his ankle and was replaced by Julian Alvarez. This was City’s 1st substitution in the match. Real Madrid made a change as well and Joselu came into the pitch for Vinicius. In the 88th minute, Bernardo Silva was booked for a foul on Brahim Diaz.
The second half had four minutes added on with both teams wanting not to concede, rather than score. Nothing happened in the final moments of the match and it was finished 3-3. A thrilling UEFA Champions League night between two heavy-weights ended in a draw and now we have to wait for the second leg in Manchester in a week.
Player Ratings
Here are our ratings out of 10, for the players and managers.
Real Madrid
Andriy Lunin (GK) – 5: Caught off guard for the first goal, But could do little about the others. Made a few saves from Haaland, Bernardo Silva, and Foden.
Dani Carvajal (RB) – 6: Had a difficult night, especially against Jack Grealish. Made the assist for Madrid’s first goal. Normal display from the captain.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) – 7: His side’s best defender for sure. He made important blocks on Grealish in the first half which kept the hosts in the match.
Arelien Tchouameni (CB) – 5: Not a fine performance from the Frenchman. He also received a yellow card and will miss the second leg.
Ferland Mendy (LB) – 6: Normal service from the 28-years old defender. Man City’s attack came mostly from the other side of the pitch.
Eduardo Camavinga (CM) – 7: Scored an important goal to bring back his side into the match, but he had a quiet second half.
Toni Kroos (CM) – 6: The German veteran was not in his best form and the visitors’ midfield didn’t let him to contribute much.
Federico Valverde (CM) – 8: The best Real Madrid midfielder on the night. Put on a good box-to-box performance and scored a fantastic goal to draw the match.
Jude Bellingham (AM) – 6: A very quiet night for Real Madrid’s best player of the season so far. He came close a few times, but could not score.
Rodrigo (FW) – 8: The hosts’ most dangerous player. Scored the second goal and caused Man City trouble constantly throughout the match.
Vinicious Jr (FW) – 8: Made the assist for Madrid’s second and third goal. He also came close to score himself a few time, but couldn’t convert his chances.
Subs:
Luka Modric (CM) – 7: Made an impact with his presence in the last 20 minutes and help his team forward.
Brahim Diaz (FW) – 6: Normal performance from the Moroccan. Did more defensive work than his usual.
Joselu (FW) – N/A: Replaced Vinicius and played for only 7 minutes.
Manager:
Carlo Ancelotti – 7: His team was better than the opponent in the first half. They kept their calm and turned the match around. Madrid was in control until Man City’s second goal, but they conceded from two shots outside the box, which the midfield could do better. He made good subs and managed his team well throughout the match.
Manchester City
Stefan Ortega (GK) – 7: Could do little about any of the goals. The first two came from deflection and the third one was a thunderbolt. Made some good saves, especially in the first half.
Manuel Akanji (RCB) – 5: It was not his night. He could do better on Real Madrid’s second goal.
Ruben Dias (CB) – 7: Defensively, he was better than his two partners. Made a crucial tackle in the first half when the score was 1-0, but could do little about the goals and was unlucky for the deflection.
Josko Gvardiol (LCB) – 7: Had a quiet night until his precise shot that put his side ahead in the second half. He Could have marked Valverde on the hosts’ third goal.
John Stones (DM) – 7: Good performance from the English man, which played in the midfield again, after a while. Assisted Foden on City’s second goal.
Rodri (DM) – 7: Played well throughout the match and was the heart of his side once again.
Mateo Kovacic (CM) – 6: A normal display from the Croatian, who played instead of Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian illness just before the match.
Phil Foden (CAM) – 7: Scored the all-important second goal with a great shot which brought back City into the match.
Bernardo Silva (RW) – 8: Put his side ahead with his intelligence to caught the keeper off guard from a free kick. Played well throughout the match.
Jack Grealish (LW) – 8: Back to his best with a very good performance in an important game. He was a constant threat down the left side and assisted Gvardiol on the Visitors’ third goal.
Erling Haaland (ST) – 6: Had a quiet night. Made a shot that was saved by Lunin in the first half, But did not get a real chance after that.
Subs:
Julian Alvarez (AM) – N/A: Came late for Phil Foden who was injured and played only 8 minutes.
Manager:
Pep Guardiola – 7: His side had 62 percent ball possession, but they were unable to create real chances. Their goals came from 3 well-taken shots and their high-line defense could cost them more on the counters. However, Pep brought his side back into the game in the second half and they put a much better performance than the first half.
