Manchester: Manchester City’s recent struggles continued as Real Madrid pulled off a dramatic late comeback to secure a 3-2 win in the first leg of their Champions League playoff. Despite leading 2-1 after an impressive brace from Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola’s side once again faltered in the final moments, allowing Madrid to steal a crucial victory. Goals from Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham in the dying minutes stunned the Etihad crowd, leaving City with an uphill battle in the second leg at the Bernabeu.
City initially took control when Haaland opened the scoring in the 19th minute, capitalizing on Madrid’s defensive lapses. Despite early chances for Madrid—including a penalty decision overturned by VAR—City seemed in command. Vinicius Junior struck the bar before Haaland doubled City’s advantage with a well-placed penalty following a foul on Phil Foden. However, Madrid fought back with a fortunate equalizer from Kylian Mbappe, whose miskicked shot looped past Ederson.
The final minutes saw Madrid shift into another gear, with former City player Brahim Diaz leveling the score before Bellingham latched onto a Vinicius Junior pass to slot home the winner. The loss not only put City at a disadvantage for the second leg but also ended their 35-game unbeaten home run in the Champions League, dating back to 2018.
Reflecting on the match, Guardiola admitted frustration over his team’s inability to close out games. “It’s not the first time. We struggle in these crucial moments,” he said. Defender John Stones echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for composure in such high-pressure matches.
Meanwhile, other Champions League fixtures saw Paris Saint-Germain cruise past Brest with a 3-0 victory, courtesy of Ousmane Dembélé’s brace. Juventus secured a 2-1 win over PSV Eindhoven, with 21-year-old Samuel Mbangula scoring his first Champions League goal. Borussia Dortmund, last season’s runner-up, dominated Sporting Lisbon 3-0, with Serhou Guirassy continuing his fine form.
As the Champions League drama unfolds, all eyes will be on the return leg between City and Madrid, where Guardiola’s side must stage a strong response to keep their European dreams alive.
