Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City: All square in epic first leg | UEFA Champions League

Real Madrid and Manchester City drew an extraordinary first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu in a UEFA Champions League quarter-final full of drama, quality and goals.

Brief Match: Thriller stage ends

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti's 200th Champions League game, rather than living up to pre-tournament expectations, will be forgotten by Italians in a hurry as a lively, exciting encounter.

The game got off to a remarkable start, with City midfielder Bernardo Silva scoring his third successive season against Real Madrid when he silenced goalkeeper Andriy Lunin with a brilliant free-kick at the Bernabeu two minutes later.

Madrid were level ten minutes later when City defender Ruben Diaz wrongfooted Stefan Ortega from outside the box after Eduardo Camavinga's effort.

It gave the hosts a boost and they took the lead two minutes later, running onto a delightful pass from Rodrigo Vinicius Junior and curling a shot through the legs of Stefan Ortega with a touch from Manuel Akanji.

There was no let-up in the game in the second half, with both sides wasting chances before City's talented young midfielder Phil Foden collected John Stones' pass and unleashed a delightful curling shot into the top corner for his fifth goal in his last six Champions League games. Appearances stand at 2-2.

Josco Guardiola picked the perfect moment to score his first City goal five minutes later, stopping a long-range strike that found Lunin's left-hand upright.

But just when it looked like City would regain an advantage for Manchester, Federico Valverde met Vinicius Junior's cross with a stunning low volley to take the roof off the Bernabeu.

In the end there is nothing to choose between the teams, football is the real winner in this highly entertaining game. Fans will now be counting down the days to their return in Manchester on April 17.

PlayStation® Man of the Match: Phil Foden (Man City)

„An excellent partnership with Bernardo Silva, showing impeccable technical ability and hard work. He came up with a key moment when he found the top corner of Madrid's goal. An influential, hard-working and stylish performance.”
UEFA Technical Observers Committee

Graham Hunter, Real Madrid Correspondent

Because it's Madrid, the club has won the Champions League/European Cup 14 times, because the stadium has been host to miracles and magic, and the general feeling is: 'We've seen it all!'

But even the Bernabéu is not surprised by so many nights like this. Regardless of whether you're Madrid or City, it's magical and the anthem of European football's worship. Bold, crazy, crazy, smart and without being asked or given any quarter. That is why football, especially European competition, was invented. Mantra.

Steve Bates, Man City reporter

Fantasy football in the style of 'we attack, you attack' basketball. It's going to be a Champions League classic. It had everything. A fast and furious start, followed by a flurry of goals from both teams.

City have the advantage going into Manchester again, but having advanced twice, they may be annoyed at surrendering the lead. How these two teams will fare at Manchester Stadium next week is anyone's guess. bring it!

reaction

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach: „It was a balanced game, both teams really competed to the limit; it was a tough draw. As long as we pressed them, we were in a very good position. We tried hard to use our potential. We'll play quick-change football. To take even a slim advantage in the second leg.” „We wanted to, but I think we have a lot to be satisfied with tonight. We competed well and if we do it again next week, we can play.”

Federico Valverde, Real Madrid midfielder: „We let them off the hook and didn't press hard enough. City have good players; they work very hard. We have to go to Manchester motivated by a sense of 'revenge' and qualify. Semi-final. Overall it was a great football match.”

Josep Guardiola, Man City coach: „I think it was a good, entertaining match that made the match decent. Both teams wanted to attack in different ways. What I really liked was how we played in the second half, 2-1 down. We showed composure, we controlled the game well. In Manchester it was ours. The stadium will be sold out, our fans will try to help us go 1-0 and we'll do the rest. The winner next week goes through to the semi-final. -Final.”

Josep Guardiol, Man City defender: „What a game. It's my first time at this stadium, a fantastic atmosphere. Of course, we're looking forward to the result and a home game. I'm happy with my first goal for Man City, especially against a great opponent.”

Key statistics

• Real Madrid featured in their 39th European Cup/Champions League quarter-final tie – a competitive record.
• The draw ended City's ten-match winning run in the Champions League, which began with a 4-0 defeat by Madrid in last season's semi-final second leg.
• The defeat in Manchester was Madrid's only loss in their last 15 Champions League matches (W12 D2).
• Madrid have scored in every home Champions League knockout game since a 2-0 semi-final first leg loss against Barcelona in April 2011.
• City are unbeaten in 22 European matches (W16 D6) since losing 3-1 at Madrid in the semi-final second leg in May 2022.
• Guardiola's City have scored three goals in all nine of their Champions League matches this season, becoming the first team to score three or more in nine of the competition's games.
• City have lost just one of their last 13 games against Spanish sides (W8 D4).
• It was only the second knockout match in the Champions League in which Tottenham scored three goals in the opening 14 minutes to draw 2–2 after 11 minutes against Manchester City in April 2019.

Fantasy star performers

Bill Foden: 11 points
Josko Cardiol: 11 points
Bernardo Silva: 9 points
Federico Valverde: 9 points

Rows

Real Madrid: Lunine; Carvajal, Dichoumeni, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos (Modric 72), Camavinga, Bellingham; Vinicius Jr (Joselu 86), Rodrigo (Brahim Diaz 71)

Man is the city: Ortega; Akanji, Stones, Ruben Diaz, Cardiol; Rhodri, Kovacic; Bernardo Silva, Foden (Alvarez 87), Grealish; Holland