Real Madrid Triumphs at Etihad with Another Epic Comeback

Far from the days when they mesmerised both their own fans and rivals with thrilling matches that showcased their overwhelming prowess, Manchester City and Real Madrid engaged in a game on Tuesday at the Etihad marked by few successes and many mistakes, reflecting the current down-to-earth state of both teams that have claimed the last three Champions League titles. Carlo Ancelotti's side emerged victorious, once again lethal at the final whistle against Pep Guardiola's squad, who were left speechless by the terminal surge of a team that never gives up.

The goals from Brahim and Bellingham in the final stretch sealed the comeback for the visitors, who managed to overcome Haaland's brace to conquer the Mancunian fortress for the first time in their seventh visit to the 'cityzens' stronghold. They will head into the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 next Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu with an advantage.

There, at the same venue of that epic comeback that preceded the Fourteenth in Paris, the reigning European champions will aim to secure their place in the last 16, while Guardiola's men will use their last bullet to stay afloat in a season that could end a cycle in the blue part of Manchester after a clash that was, as almost always, nerve-wracking.

Despite their evident fragility in numerous areas of the pitch, City tried to stay true to their essence, capitalising on Real Madrid's lack of precision in a couple of poorly executed shots by Mbappé and especially by Mendy to take the lead on their first approach to the area. Haaland struck, taking advantage of Rüdiger's absence to end his scoring drought against Real Madrid, finishing confidently after a chest pass from Gvardiol, immense both in attack and defence. The VAR intervened to review a possible offside, but the decision, after suspenseful minutes worthy of an Alfred Hitchcock film, favoured the Norwegian by millimetres.

Real Madrid tried to rally, coming close to equalising immediately with a shot from Vinicius that hit the crossbar after deflecting off Akanji. Again, a matter of microns. Ceballos also tried his luck, shooting high, but Real Madrid began to lack consistency in pressing, and City accumulated chances. Courtois saved a strike from Foden, Asencio prevented Haaland from scoring again, and the crossbar thwarted Akanji.

City managed to break out smoothly, needing the ball to protect themselves, but when they lost it, they showed alarming vulnerability. Real Madrid took advantage of this fragility to go into the break in better spirits after having opportunities with shots from Valverde and Mbappé, although both were off target.

Accustomed to thrilling power-to-power duels, the two giants found themselves this time in a contest with more errors than successes. From one of these successes could have come Haaland's second, as he hit the woodwork with a shot that deflected off Camavinga. The Norwegian missed this time, and Real Madrid took advantage to level the playing field.

Ceballos threaded a pass with flair after a free-kick by Valverde that was blocked by City's wall, and Mbappé struck with the outside of his foot. The ball went in slowly. It was probably one of the ugliest goals in the Bondy star's career, but of undeniable value, especially considering what was to come.

The equaliser emboldened Real Madrid, who went for the comeback. Valverde's shot, in which the Uruguayan put his soul, missed the post by a whisker, and Ederson won a one-on-one with Bellingham. The Whites were experiencing their best moment of the match, but another major mistake allowed City to re-emerge. It was Ceballos who was as naive in fouling Foden on the line that marks the area as Tchouaméni was last Saturday in fouling Lino in the capital derby. Haaland executed from the penalty spot, deceiving Courtois.

However, the match had another twist. Brahim capitalised on an error in City's exit to level the score again, and Bellingham completed the comeback by scoring easily after a lob from Vinicius following another City blunder.