Manchester City vs Real Madrid LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as visitors snatch late win
Manchester City 2-3 Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham struck in stoppage time to snatch a first-leg advantage in the play-off tie
Real Madrid produced their latest Champions League late show to snatch a first-leg advantage in their mighty play-off clash with Manchester City.
The visitors had appeared bound for a defeat at the Etihad Stadium after Erling Haaland’s penalty ten minutes from time had put the hosts back ahead, but former Manchester City player Brahim Diaz equalised moments after being brought on before Jude Bellingham pilfered a 3-2 win with virtually the final touch. For Pep Guardiola, it must have felt awfully familiar, another implosion in a season full of them.
Until those final minutes, it had been an encouraging night for the Premier League club, producing an improved performance and twice going ahead. Haaland struck twice, his first beautifully constructed and firmly finished before the Norwegian converted from the penalty spot after Phil Foden had been felled. But one always feared that Manchester City’s defensive vulnerabilities might show up against a dynamic forward line, with Diaz and Bellingham adding to Kylian Mbappe’s initial equaliser to allow the hosts to take a one-goal lead into the second leg at the Bernabeu.
Re-live all of the action from the Etihad Stadium in our live blog below:
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on the Amazon Prime Video with coverage beginning at 6.30pm. If you're not an Amazon Prime Video subscriber you can start a free 30-day trial here.
When is Manchester City vs Real Madrid?
The Champions League play-off first leg between Man City and Real Madrid is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Tuesday 11 February at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City vs Real Madrid
Manchester City are set for a blockbuster clash in their Champions League play-off round as they take on 15-time champions Real Madrid for a place in the last-16.
Pep Guardiola’s team snuck into the knockout stages of the competition with a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the final round of fixtures during the league phase. The Premier League champions won just three of their eight matches and finished 22nd in the table, just inside of the 24-team cut off.
City’s form continues to fluctuate though as they where heavily beaten 5-1 by Arsenal in their most recent Premier League outing before edging into the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-1 win over League One side Plymouth Argyle.
In comparison, Real Madrid also struggled in the Champions League, though they were in no risk of elimination in this revamped format. Carlo Ancelotti’s men finished 11th, outside the automatic last-16 spots, but have only lost once in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Good evening!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action as Manchester City play host to Real Madrid in the first leg of their play-off tie.
One of Europe’s biggest teams will be exiting the competition ahead of the last-16 stage as Pep Guardiola attempts to mastermind a victory against Carlo Ancelotti’s serial winners.
We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and more tonight so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.
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