Real Madrid produced their latest Champions League late show to snatch a first-leg advantage in their mighty play-off clash with Manchester City.
The visitors had appeared bound for a defeat at the Etihad Stadium after Erling Haaland’s penalty ten minutes from time had put the hosts back ahead, but former Manchester City player Brahim Diaz equalised moments after being brought on before Jude Bellingham pilfered a 3-2 win with virtually the final touch. For Pep Guardiola, it must have felt awfully familiar, another implosion in a season full of them.
Until those final minutes, it had been an encouraging night for the Premier League club, producing an improved performance and twice going ahead. Haaland struck twice, his first beautifully constructed and firmly finished before the Norwegian converted from the penalty spot after Phil Foden had been felled. But one always feared that Manchester City’s defensive vulnerabilities might show up against a dynamic forward line, with Diaz and Bellingham adding to Kylian Mbappe’s initial equaliser to allow the hosts to take a one-goal lead into the second leg at the Bernabeu.
Re-live all of the action from the Etihad Stadium in our live blog below:
Manchester City vs Real Madrid LIVE
- Manchester City beaten 3-2 by Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions Leaugue play-off tie
- Jude Bellingham snatches advantage with stoppage-time winner
- GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 Real Madrid (Erling Haaland, 19 minutes)
- HALF TIME: Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid
- GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 REAL MADRID (Kylian Mbappe, 60 minutes)
- GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 Real Madrid (Erling Haaland, 80 minutes)
- GOAL! Manchester City 2-2 REAL MADRID (Brahim Diaz, 87 minutes)
- GOAL! Manchester City 2-3 REAL MADRID (Jude Bellingham, 90 + 2 minutes)
- FULL TIME: Manchester City 2-3 Real Madrid
Manchester City FC 2 - 3 Real Madrid CF
Real Madrid keep their cool as Manchester City implode again in Champions League classic
22:28
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Richard Jolly at the Etihad Stadium
A Clasico, Carlo Ancelotti had called it. The Italian isn’t a man to get carried away and is rarely wrong. A classic it was, too. A performance out of keeping with Manchester City’s season nevertheless produced a result out of keeping with Real Madrid’s history. They could win the Champions League without ever winning at the Etihad Stadium. The club who have won 15 European Cups recorded a belated first, deep into added time, courtesy of an Englishman. They ended an unbeaten run that spanned more than six years.
Carlo Ancelotti speaks to Amazon Prime about Real Madrid's win
22:36
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Harry Latham-Coyle
“I think we played a good game. We didn’t deserve to be down in the game. We were really dangerous, we defended well. At the end of the day, the victory is deserved. It’s only the first half of the knockout [tie], though.
“It was character and personality. We had a good block defensively, which is not usual for us. Tonight we were able to do this.
“In this moment, Manchester City don’t have a lot of confidence. But they are still a really good team and played a really good game. We have to stay calm - anything can happen at the Bernabeu.
John Stones speaks to Amazon Prime
22:25
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Harry Latham-Coyle
“Again, a few games after the Arsenal one, I don’t know how to put it into words straight away. It’s so raw and frustrating for everyone. We were right in the game until so late on, and then two situations happen and we end up conceding. It’s frustrating as a defender to come away with that result. Angry and frustrated is what I can say.
“Honestly, I haven’t got the answer. We need to see games out better, that’s for sure. The manager has said to us that we need to take accountability for what we do on the pitch, and I think we do. These bad moments happen in games. We had a great opportunity to go to the Bernabeu 2-1 up, and we go now needing a goal to level when we get there. We need to stay positives and, as the manager says, hold ourselves accountable.
“I think how we started the game, we were right on top. We know the quality that Madrid have got. What happened is avoidable from us as the eleven on the pitch. We’ve got to do better, it’s as simple as that. We have to keep a positive mentality and look forward. We’ve got another 90 minutes to put things right.”
Jude Bellingham speaks to Amazon Prime after his match-winning turn
22:13
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Harry Latham-Coyle
“It was a weird one. We played some of our best football of the season and managed to find ourselves behind in the game. It’s always really tricky to play against Manchester City, but in the end we managed to take one of the many chances.
“It’s not just a technical and tactical battle, it’s a psychological one as well. It was really good that we managed ourselves throughout the game on that front.
“I just kept running, really, on the off chance that Vini might put it wide, which rarely happens. Our performance deserved the win. Two of the four defenders were midfielders. It’s really difficult to adapt to that position, and I think Tchouameni did really well. Credit to all four of them.”
FT: Manchester City 2-3 Real Madrid
22:07
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Until those two late goals, it had been an encouraging night for Pep Guardiola, his side looking pretty good and on course for a lead in the tie. Their pressing did drop off, slightly, but those final few minutes felt entirely psychological, this campaign clearly having shaken their security significantly.
FT: Manchester City 2-3 Real Madrid
21:58
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Add another chapter to the book of Real Madrid Champions League comebacks. Two late goals at the Etihad snatch a first-leg advantage in this huge play-off encounter - and it’s a familiar tale for Manchester City, too, imploding again in this strange season.
FULL TIME: Manchester City 2-3 Real Madrid
21:55
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Harry Latham-Coyle
GOAL! Manchester City 2-3 REAL MADRID (Jude Bellingham, 90 + 2 minutes)
21:54
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Harry Latham-Coyle
How do they do it? Real Madrid snatch victory from the jaws of defeat?
Another Manchester City capitulation in this wretched season! Rico Lewis is beaten to a bouncing ball by Vinicius Jr, while Ederson kippers himself by charging out of his box. Vinicius lifts it over his Brazil teammate and gives Jude Bellingham something to hare after, with the midfielder showing his turn of speed to tap it home into the empty net.
Manchester City 2-2 Real Madrid, 90 + 1 minutes
21:52
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Kylian Mbappe won’t last the course. He’s off in the final moments.
Manchester City 2-2 Real Madrid, 90 minutes
21:51
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Three more minutes to come. Is there time for a winner?
Manchester City 2-2 Real Madrid, 88 minutes
21:49
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Pep Guardiola looks exasperated. Manchester City had done so well to seize control of the tie again and that was a soft, soft concession of the second goal.
GOAL! Manchester City 2-2 REAL MADRID (Brahim Diaz, 87 minutes)
21:48
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Immediate impact! Brahim Diaz strikes against his former club!
It’s terrible goalkeeping from Ederson, putting his defenders under pressure with a dreadful pass. A shot from Vinicius Jr could perhaps have been dealt with better by the Brazilian, too, merely palming into the path of Diaz who volleys into the corner. Real Madrid are level again - how do they manage to do this so often in this competition?
Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid, 84 minutes
21:45
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Pep Guardiola exhausts his allocation of alterations. Kevin De Bruyne hands over the captain’s armband as he takes leave, with Savinho also off. On come a new boy in Omar Marmoush and an old hand in Ilkay Gundogan.
Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, sends on Brahim Diaz for Rodrygo, who has been pretty quiet in this half.
Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid, 82 minutes
21:43
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Harry Latham-Coyle
On comes Luka Modric into the Real Madrid midfield, a veteran schemer hoping to find another equaliser.
That really was a clumsy challenge from Dani Ceballos.
GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 Real Madrid (Erling Haaland, 80 minutes)
21:41
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Rolled in to the corner with real calm and composure!
Manchester City lead as Erling Haaland strikes for a second time. Thibaut Courtois went the wrong way, but might not have saved it anyway.
PENALTY! Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid, 75 minutes
21:38
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Penalty to Manchester City! Phil Foden shimmies and shakes free of Ferland Mendy, and Dani Ceballos clatters into him.
Was it inside the box? It looks like it is on the line but VAR will check...yep, it stands.
A bit of a worry for Manchester City as Foden remains down after a knock of knees. He hobbles away as Erling Haaland picks his spot...
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid, 75 minutes
21:36
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Raul Asencio and Erling Haaland are summoned to the headmaster’s office after a bit of corridor pushing and shoving. Clement Turpin gives each a stern warning and sends them back to class.
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid, 73 minutes
21:33
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Richard Jolly at the Etihad Stadium
City are starting to look frayed and ragged now, Mbappe a constant threat. It hasn't helped City that they have lost John Stones from midfield, with the Englishman back in defence now Nathan Ake has gone off. They look too open in midfield as a result and Real the stronger. They now seem the likelier winners if anyone goes to Madrid with an advantage.
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid, 71 minutes
21:33
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Harry Latham-Coyle
A weave and then a dart into the Manchester City from Eduardo Camavinga, though his efforts are to no avail with a slightly tepid attempted shot. Blocked in comfort by a Manchester City defender.
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid, 69 minutes
21:30
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Not Kevin De Bruyne’s best. He generously gives fellow Belgian Thibaut Courtois catching practice.
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid, 68 minutes
21:29
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Harry Latham-Coyle
This scoreline would please Carlo Ancelotti, you’d think, with the second leg to come in Madrid and the possibility of getting a couple of defensive bodies back for that fixture.
Savinho earns a corner kick off the rump off Fede Valverde.
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid, 66 minutes
21:27
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Another sighting for Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder running beyond a lackadaisical Rico Lewis and rattling the legs of the Manchester City goalkeeper.
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid, 63 minutes
21:25
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Mateo Kovacic was being readied before that goal. and Pep Guardiola presses ahead with the planned switch. Nathan Ake is the man off, leaving John Stones to slide one row backwards into central defence.
GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 REAL MADRID (Kylian Mbappe, 60 minutes)
21:21
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Harry Latham-Coyle
A dreadful free kick but a goal nonetheless!
They all count! Fede Valverde sends his free kick right into the draught excluder underneath the wall, but the ball bounces back to the feet of the Real Madrid throng who had assembled to take the set piece. Dani Ceballos eyes up his options as Manchester City rush out, picking a lovely little chip through to Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe’s finish isn’t much better than Valverde produced, a hashed hack that flies up in the air off the side of his foot.
But in to the net it inexorably loops as Ederson sprawls expecting something rather firmer.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 58 minutes
21:20
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Kevin De Bruyne connects with Erling Haaland, though that is sterling work from Raul Asencio, forcing the Manchester City striker back and away and eventually out of the Real Madrid box. The youngster has looked pretty solid in there tonight.
At the other end, a lunging Bernardo Silva scythes into Dani Ceballos as the midfielder jinks. Free kick, relatively central, 25 yards out. Appetising.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 57 minutes
21:18
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Harry Latham-Coyle
It would appear more changes may be imminent as the two managers consider their options. Remember that there is a second leg to come - neither will be willing to risk being entirely out of the tie tonight, which may make this a cagier affair.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 55 minutes
21:16
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Kept out! Another real sniff for Real Madrid as Kylian Mbappe releases a snap shot after the ball breaks his way in the box. Ederson is in its path, reacting well to get his hands to it.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 53 minutes
21:14
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Guided wide! That’s a top chance for Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr skinning Rico Lewis and picking out the England midfielder just beyond the penalty spot. A flashing header skips wide of the post with Ederson motionless.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 52 minutes
21:13
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Manchester City slow the tempo, popping passes around the back in an attempt to draw Real Madrid out of shape. The visitors don’t oblige, and deal with the eventual forward pass rather easily.
Manchester City rattle the woodwork again
21:12
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Richard Jolly at the Etihad Stadium
Busy night for the woodwork, hit three times, and the physios, with Akanji following Grealish in making an early departure. It makes for a huge second half for Rico Lewis, who is up against Vinicius Jr. He really struggled in similar circumstances when given a second half against Ousmane Dembele in Paris.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 48 minutes
21:09
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Harry Latham-Coyle
How will Rico Lewis do up against Vinicius Jr? Manuel Akanji performed his defensive duties rather well, I thought, though the Brazilian had his moments. The new Manchester City right-back covers a long ball nicely in the opening skirmishes of the second half.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 46 minutes
21:07
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Harry Latham-Coyle
So close to a second! Kevin De Bruyne finds a cute outside-of-the-foot pass through to Erling Haaland, who chops down on the ball as he shoots and sends it cannoning against the crossbar.
Second half...
21:04
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Harry Latham-Coyle
News of a half-time change, and a second substitution in 45 minutes for Manchester City - Manuel Akanji appeared to suffer a knock at the end of that half, and Rico Lewis has been summoned.
Phil Foden was on earlier for Jack Grealish.
ANALYSIS: More goals to come?
20:58
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Richard Jolly at the Etihad Stadium
A terrific first half in which City resembled their old selves for the first time in months. Real have had plenty of threat, too, and 1-0 feels one of a lot of possible scorelines at this point. It could be very different by the end of the night.
HT: Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid
20:51
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Bright and breezy stuff in Manchester. Real Madrid started the better and could have had a couple of goals inside 15 minutes, but Erling Haaland’s sharply-taken, nicely-constructed strike has the hosts ahead at the interval. More goals to come, one feels, though.
HALF TIME: Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid
20:50
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 45 + 4 minutes
20:49
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Harry Latham-Coyle
There’s no deflection on that one, and that’s awful from Mbappe! A glorious chance after great work from Rodrygo, but the Frenchman leans back as he hits and troubles only the patrons in the upper reaches of the stand behind the Manchester City goal.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 45 + 2 minutes
20:48
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Harry Latham-Coyle
A slightly hairy moment for Ederson as a deflection on Kylian Mbappe’s shot sends it looping up out of his reach. Behind for a corner it flies, but not before a moment or two of panic from the goalkeeper.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 45 minutes
20:46
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Into four additional minutes at the end of the half.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 43 minutes
20:44
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Fizzed o’er the top! Beautiful technique from Fede Valverde as he strikes with the side of his foot from 25 yards, a little too much height preventing Ederson from having to save. Potent, powerful and poised - but not precise.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 42 minutes
20:42
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Harry Latham-Coyle
A poor pass from Rodrygo bails out Nathan Ake after an error, the Brazilian’s pass heavy and forcing Vinicius Jr to run wide. Manuel Akanji stands up to the Real Madrid No 7, conceding a corner which Erling Haaland heads powerfully away.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 39 minutes
20:39
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Richard Jolly at the Etihad Stadium
Jack Grealish has come and gone, injury ending one of his most influential displays in major matches in the last 18 months (he did get a goal and an assist against Paris Saint-Germain a few weeks ago, but only in a game that went horribly wrong for City after that). Phil Foden has come on to play on the right, with Savinho switching to the left. Manuel Akanji has almost doubled City's lead, hitting the bar. This has the potential to become a very good night for City.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 36 minutes
20:38
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Harry Latham-Coyle
A sustained spell of Manchester City pressure. Bernardo Silva slips in Erling Haaland, who earns a corner out of Raul Asencio.
And that’s flicked the crossbar! Manuel Akanji heads the corner kick up over the parapet on to the roof of the net, taking out a brick or two as it goes.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 35 minutes
20:36
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Harry Latham-Coyle
A fine save from Thibaut Courtois, diving away to his right to keep out Phil Foden’s drive. Kevin De Bruyne then sidefoots on the volley into the goalkeeper’s arms.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 34 minutes
20:35
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Incidentally, Erling Haaland now has as many Champions League goals as Zlatan Ibrahimovic. In 76 fewer games, by my count. He’s some scorer.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 32 minutes
20:32
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Manchester City have successfully taken the sting out of Real Madrid after the visitors buzzed about in the first 15 minutes. John Stones is keeping things ticking over rather nicely in midfield.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 30 minutes
20:31
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Yep, that’s that for Grealish - what a shame after a really bright half-an-hour. Down the tunnel he trudges to get his issue seen to, with Phil Foden brought on. A handy replacement, though he, like the man he’s replacing, could do with finding his best form again.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 29 minutes
20:30
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Bad news for Manchester City - Jack Grealish is crouched in discomfort with a couple of concerned teammates surrounding him. His race may be run here.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 25 minutes
20:26
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Off the woodwork! Vinicius Jr’s curling effort takes a flick of Ederson’s fingertips and then the top of the crossbar.
Josko Gvardiol shows value with assist
20:25
,
Richard Jolly at the Etihad Stadium
Erling Haaland's first goal against Real Madrid and it is advantage City. It was notable it came from Haaland being more involved in the build-up, running in behind and being found. But the finish came after Josko Gvardiol chested it down to him. Another lung-busting run from Gvardiol into the box showed how the left-back often goes past the midfield to get into the penalty area.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid, 22 minutes
20:24
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Harry Latham-Coyle
A start brighter than their vibrant orange shirts for Real Madrid, then, but behind they find themselves. Remember that this really is a makeshift defensive unit.
GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 Real Madrid (Erling Haaland, 19 minutes)
20:19
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Delightful! Immaculately constructed, decisively finished!
That really is a lovely Manchester City goal. Erling Haaland makes a good run to latch on to Josko Gvardiol’s pass, knocking back to Jack Grealish. Gvardiol produces a superb surge on the underlap, collecting Grealish’s clever clip. A chest down to expert marksman allows Haaland to pick his spot in the far corner.
But is it offside? Ooh, that’s tight on the replay as Gvardiol chests down with Haaland up alongside him...
It’s a long, long delay, reflecting a tricky decision. Was the Norwegian beyond the ball? Should it matter in such circumstances? Still we wait.
GOAL GIVEN! It stands.
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 17 minutes
20:18
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Harry Latham-Coyle
A brief lull in the tempo after a lively opening as Manchester City settle again into shape. Josko Gvardiol is tucking in and up to join John Stones at times, with Manuel Akanji also trying to create a midfield overload.
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 13 minutes
20:16
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Harry Latham-Coyle
A sniff for Manchester City now, Kevin De Bruyne’s corner kick looping off a couple of heads in the direction of Savinho. Alas, the Brazilian makes a hash of his half-volley, ballooning it up over the bar and into the car park.
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 13 minutes
20:14
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Manchester City are all over the place. Kevin De Bruyne is dispossessed in the centre circle and only the combined efforts of Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji prevent Vinicius Jr rampaging free again. Worrying signs for Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 12 minutes
20:13
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Harry Latham-Coyle
A vital block from Nathan Ake! Real Madrid part the Manchester City lines again and Vinicius Jr and Ferland Mendy each offer the other the sighting of goal. Mendy is the man to eventually release the shot with Ederson beaten by the passing exchange, but Ake is back to block.
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 11 minutes
20:12
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Harry Latham-Coyle
The visitors are starting to purr. A delicate opening of the legs from Vinicius Jr sends him spinning into space and his pass is sharp, too, freeing Kylian Mbappe. Ederson gets down smartly to save.
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 9 minutes
20:10
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Harry Latham-Coyle
A point to the penalty spot...but the flag is up!
Real Madrid think they’ve got a spot kick when Vinicius Jr is chopped down by Ederson, but the Brazilian was a couple of yards off when embarking towards the through pass. Manchester City are leaving a bit of room in behind, though...
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 8 minutes
20:09
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Mbappe has a problem with his boot, too, though that doesn’t stop him from very nearly burning by Ruben Dias after a forward hoist. Ederson is out sharply to clear.
Off Mbappe trots to get the faulty footwear sorted. A fresh pair of magenta daps are sourced.
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 7 minutes
20:08
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Manchester City do appear to have plenty of defensive stability about them. Kylian Mbappe comes away limping a little from a strong challenge from one of the two home centre-halves.
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 5 minutes
20:06
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Pep Guardiola barks some instructions to his side, the Manchester City manager clad in coat and scarf to ward off the evening chill. John Stones is settling into that midfield controlling role, perhaps affording a bit of extra protection against international colleague Jude Bellingham.
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 3 minutes
20:04
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Another good Real Madrid defensive header allows the visitors to clear their lines.
Rather loud boos for Vinicius Jr as the Brazilian is given a first touch.
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 2 minutes
20:03
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Kevin De Bruyne swings it in, with Fede Valverde flicking it up over his crossbar with Erling Haaland in close attention. Corner.
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 1 minute
20:02
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Early ambition from both sides, Jack Grealish looking to release Erling Haaland over the top before Rodrygo shunts a diagonal pass in the direction of Kylian Mbappe. Neither is successful.
More promise from Grealish, skipping by Fede Valverde and being felled by a retreating Rodrygo. A handy position for this free kick, left of the area about 15 yards out.
KICK OFF!
20:00
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
And we are underway at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
19:58
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Some creative Manchester City fans have emblazoned an Oasis lyric on a large banner taunting Vinicius Jr with a photo of Rodri kissing his Ballon d’Or. Lovely work.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
19:56
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Harry Latham-Coyle
Right, kick off is almost upon us. Two European heavyweights, two play-off legs, one rather sizeable tie. Out the players come into the Manchester night.
Man City vs Real Madrid
19:50
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Mike Jones
Manchester City versus Real Madrid will be just the fourth fixture in European Cup/Uefa Champions League history to played in four consecutive seasons, after Deportivo de La Coruna vs Juventus (4 from 2000-01 to 2003-04), Chelsea vs Liverpool
