Champions League: Injury-Time Goal Sets Real Madrid Ahead Against Man City In Play-off First-Leg

 

Disappointing first-leg tie for Manchester City in the Champions League play-off for losing to Real Madrid in a comeback by 3-2, with an injury-time goal from Jude Bellingham sending the Premier League to the reel. 

City desperately needed victory from this game. They narrowly made it to the stage after defeating Club Brugge to seal their place in the playoffs. Madrid also had a difficult run through the last round, leaving both sides with the fate of going through the playoffs to reach the knockout stages. 

Erling Haaland seized a spectacular moment from Gvardiol's effort to latch onto a lob from Jack Grealish and struck the ball bottom left of the goal. That lead would only last until the second half. Madrid did not seem like they were up to any scare until Kylian Mbappe darted into the box Ceballos' lob and half-volley the ball into the net. Ederson was clearly beating even though Mbappe barely hit the ball rightly. 

As City built up pressure on the Spaniards, Ceballos' rough tackle on Phil Foden gifted the Citizens a penalty and Haaland converted the spot kick for the side to take the lead. Hence, Madrid became offensive and found the right moment to level following a rebound from Vinicius' individual effort which Brahim Diaz struck home from close range. The winning goal later followed in injury-time as Vinicius lobbed the ball over Ederson for Bellingham's tap-in.

It was an unpleasant defeat for Pep Guardiola's men but a well-deserved victory for the Spaniards. It was a big loss to the side after leading from the first half, which was their first in the Champions League since 2018 against Liverpool

Overview 

Delightful game control from City in the first stretch. They seized a crucial build-up to pull off the goal with good moves from Gvardiol, who facilitated the moment and completed it with an assist to Haaland. Despite the situation, Madrid held considerable danger to City, given the chance the game should have been on level term but good defending from City kept the side ahead, especially from Akanji.

Contrary to expectations, the City could not hold to the lead even as they kept good composure and attitude towards the game, Mbappe could burrow through the crowded box. Rico Lewis was not the making of the loss, Vinicius is a terrific striker and would take advantage of any defender and the goalkeeper in such a situation, The hosts had done really well but Madrid were firm to get by for them.