The first leg of the 2024/25 Champions League playoff between Manchester City and Real Madrid ended with a dramatic 3-2 victory for the visitors. Both teams still have a chance to advance before the return leg.

Goals:
Manchester City: Haaland (19′, 80′ – penalty)
Real Madrid: Mbappe (60′), Diaz (86′), Bellingham (90’+2)

Familiar rivals, Manchester City and Real Madrid, began the match with high intensity right from the start. In the first 15 minutes, Real had three opportunities to score but failed to capitalize. They paid the price when, in the 19th minute, Haaland struck with a precise close-range shot, beating goalkeeper Courtois and putting Manchester City ahead.

Trailing, Real Madrid intensified their attack. In the 25th minute, Vinicius unleashed a powerful shot, but it hit the crossbar. The first half concluded with Manchester City leading by one goal.

As the second half began, Real Madrid continued to dominate offensively, and their efforts were rewarded in the 60th minute when Mbappe scored from a pass by Dani Ceballos.

Not content with a draw, Manchester City pushed forward again. In the 78th minute, Phil Foden earned a penalty, which Haaland converted confidently, restoring City’s lead to 2-1.

Just when it seemed Manchester City would secure the win, Real Madrid showcased their class at crucial moments. In the 86th minute, Brahim Diaz capitalized on a defensive lapse from City, scoring with a precise strike. Then, in injury time at 90+2 minutes, Bellingham completed a stunning comeback for the “Galacticos.”

With this 3-2 win on the road, Real Madrid holds the advantage going into the return leg at the Bernabeu next week.

Manchester City: Ederson, Ake (Kovacic 61′), Akanji (Lewis 46′), Dias, Gvardiol, Stones, Silva, Grealish (Foden 30′), De Bruyne (Gundogan 84′), Savinho (Marmoush 84′), Haaland
Real Madrid: Courtois, Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, Mendy, Camavinga, Ceballos (Modric 81′), Rodrygo (Diaz 84′), Bellingham, Vinicius, Mbappe (Fran Garcia 90′)