MANCHESTER CITY and Real Madrid played out a truly brilliant draw in the first leg of their titanic Champions League clash.
Bernardo Silva had given Man City the lead less than two minutes into the game at the Bernabeu, catching Andriy Lunin sleeping.
But Real Madrid fought back to lead with two goals in two minutes – the first a Ruben Dias own goal from a heavily deflected Eduardo Camavinga shot and the second a rapid counter from Rodrygo.
Los Blancos were in charge before Phil Foden fired a rocket into the top corner, with Josko Gvardiol then scoring a stunner of his own to give City the lead.
Real Madrid then struck back themselves, Federico Valverde brilliantly volleying home to share the spoils and set up a tense second leg.
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City enter busy schedule
Aside from their Champions League exploits, Man City have to juggle three competitions over their next three games.
It means a busy fixture list but Pep Guaridola would not have it any other way.
Playing lots of games means you are being successful as a manager after all.
All-square between two of football’s greats
The spoils were shared as Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola squared off in Spain this evening.
Both managers may feel that their side could have won the game but a draw was probably a fair result.
They will do battle again now in the second leg in Manchester.
The Italian seemed a bit perplexed with whatever Guardiola had to say to him at the final whistle.
Credit: AFP Foden continues stand-out season
Phil Foden scored a stunning goal this evening to draw Man City level in the second half tonight.
It was enough to see the midfielder awarded with the man of the match award in Spain.
Man City fans will be hoping the injury that saw him hobble off is nothing to worry about as he is integral to remainder of their season.
There seems to be nothing wrong with his selfie-arm, that is for sure.
Credit: Getty
Form is temporary, class is permanent
As ever, Toni Kroos pulled the strings in the heart of midfield for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
His ability to link play and pick the right passes allows Bellingham to venture forward.
They did seem a bit lacking without the influential Luka Modric alongside him in the middle.
Silva lining for Pep in Madrid
Bernardo Silva came back into the side this evening and showed his true worth to Pep Guardiola.
From the first few minutes when he caught out Lunin at his near post to give the visitors the lead to the very end of the game.
Real Madrid struggled to deal with the silky skills of the Portuguese playmaker.
FT: Real Madrid 3-3 Man City
You would have to say that a draw was a fair result tonight.
Taking into consideration the chances created, nothing could separate the two sides.
Hopefully, we will see more of the same in the return leg.
FT: Real Madrid 3-3 Man City
The referee brings the game to a close in Spain.
It finishes all square between these two powerhouses.
What an entertaining game that proved to be.
Real Madrid 3-3 Man City
90+2. Man City will still fancy their chances in this tie.
Going back to The Etihad needing a win to progress.
It offers the prospect of a special night in Manchester.
Real Madrid 3-3 Man City
90. Modric swings a ball into the back post, trying to pick out Bellingham.
It has to be dealt with as it is knocked behind for a corner.
The hosts work it to the edge of the box but Carvajal’s shot is nowhere near the goal.
We are going to have four minutes added.
Credit: Getty
Real Madrid 3-3 Man City
88. Brahim Diaz wins the ball off Alvarez and looks to counter.
Bernardo Silva takes one for the team as he chops him down.
Real Madrid had numbers on the break there.
Real Madrid 3-3 Man City
86. Foden seems to have picked up an injury for City.
Guardiola is taking no chances and is looking to change the youngster with Alvarez replacing him.
That will be a concern for Man City fans to see.
Real Madrid 3-3 Man City
84. The question on everyone’s lips now is whether either side can find one more goal.
This game has been the sort you never want to end.
In addition, we have seem real contenders for ‘goal of the quarter-finals’ in Spain.
Real Madrid 3-3 Man City
82. What a final ten minutes or so we have now.
Man City were looking comfortable and seemed like they were going to claim a stunning victory.
Madrid draw level out of the blue and now it is Pep Guardiola’s side who are trying to hold on.
Real Madrid 3-3 Man City
80. Out of absolutely nothing, Real Madrid are level.
Vinicius Junior hangs a cross up to the back post.
Valverde meets it on the volley and drills it low into the far corner.
Credit: Getty Goal – Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid 2-3 Man City
78. This was exactly the type of game we were hoping for tonight.
Bellingham has been quiet in this game in the main, Real Madrid have missed his creativity and goals.
The England midfielder has scored over 20 goals in his first season for the Spaniards.
Real Madrid 2-3 Man City
76. This has been the proverbial ‘game of two halves’.
Real Madrid felt they had the game in their hands coming out after the interval.
Two stunning strikes by Man City have changed the whole complexion of this match.
Real Madrid 2-3 Man City
74. Man City really have the chance to turn the screw here.
Madrid need to get forward and try and find an equaliser at the very least.
It means the visitors can pick them off on the break and inflict further punishment on Ancelotti’s side.
Real Madrid 2-3 Man City
72. What a strike by Gvardiol.
The ball is laid off to him by Foden, he knocks it out in front of him and bends one in the far corner from outside the box.
Gvardiol has silenced the Santiago Bernabeu.
Goal – Josko Gvardiol (Man City)
Real Madrid 2-2 Man City
70. You would think Real Madrid have to go for this more now.
They will not fancy their chances of going to Manchester level and getting the result they need.
Last season, they got battered at The Etihad.
Credit: Getty
Real Madrid 2-2 Man City
68. The warnings were there for Real Madrid.
Man City were starting to dominate the ball in the final third.
That goal by Phil Foden was deserving of winning any game.
In the words of a famous ex-pundit, ‘take a bow son’.
Real Madrid 2-2 Man City
66. Bernardo Silva plays it into Stones on the edge of the box, who immediately lays it off to Foden.
He takes one touch to get the ball in front of him before rifling the ball into the top corner of the goal.
There was no stopping that one, Lunin stood no chance.
Goal – Phil Foden (Man City)
Real Madrid 2-1 Man City
64. The visitors could really do with a player like Doku on the pitch now to run at this Madrid defence.
Grealish tries to get to the byline and wins a corner.
The ball is cleared and Vinicius Junior breaks away with the ball.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
