In a breathtaking Champions League Knockout Round clash at the Etihad Stadium, Real Madrid pulled off a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Manchester City, with Jude Bellingham scoring a last-minute winner to break the hearts of the home fans.
The match, filled with thrilling moments and late drama, saw City take the lead twice, only for Los Blancos to mount a stunning comeback, cementing their reputation as the ultimate comeback kings of European football.
Haaland Puts City Ahead Early
Pep Guardiola’s men started the match on the front foot, dominating possession and dictating the tempo. Their early efforts paid off in the 19th minute when Erling Haaland found the net with a clinical finish from a Joško Gvardiol assist, putting City ahead 1-0.
Real Madrid struggled to break through City’s disciplined defense in the first half, and despite a few promising moments, they went into halftime trailing.
Mbappé Sparks Madrid’s Comeback
Carlo Ancelotti’s halftime team talk seemed to rejuvenate Los Blancos, who came out with renewed intensity. Their persistence was rewarded in the 60th minute when Kylian Mbappé latched onto a precise assist from Dani Ceballos, beating Ederson with a low shot to level the game 1-1.
The equalizer gave Madrid momentum, but Manchester City were far from done. They continued pressing and regained the lead in the 80th minute, when Haaland converted a penalty, restoring City’s advantage at 2-1.
Madrid’s Late-Game Heroics
With time running out, Real Madrid pushed forward desperately in search of another equalizer. Their pressure paid off in the 86th minute when Brahim Díaz, who had been lively since coming on, scored from close range after being set up by Vinícius Junior to make it 2-2.
Just as the match seemed destined for extra time, Madrid delivered the ultimate knockout punch. In the 92nd minute, Vinícius once again turned provider, threading a perfect ball to Jude Bellingham, who calmly slotted home the winner, completing Madrid’s stunning turnaround and securing a 3-2 victory.
Another Classic Champions League Night for Madrid
The win reaffirms Real Madrid’s dominance in Europe, with their ability to perform under pressure once again proving decisive. For Manchester City, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow, as they had one foot in the next round before Madrid’s late magic stole the show.
With this result, Madrid take a huge step towards qualification, while City will need to regroup and come back stronger in their domestic and European campaigns.
The drama, the comebacks, and the sheer unpredictability of the night once again showcased why the Champions League remains the pinnacle of club football.
