Uefa Champions League: Manchester City Fight Back To Earn Draw At Madrid
Manchester City rallied back to earn a 1-1 draw at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu in their Champions League semi-final first-leg clash on Tuesday night.
Vinicius Junior’s long-range strike gave Real Madrid the lead before De Bruyne leveled for City with a powerful shot from just outside the box.
The game was the first meeting between the two sides since Madrid dramatically beat Guardiola’s team last year, with a stoppage time brace from Rodrygo before Karim Benzema scored the winner from a penalty kick.
City had a larger percentage of the possession but could not create many clear-cut chances, a long-range shot from Rodri that was parried away by Courtois was the only shot on target they had in the first half.
Madrid took the lead after a beautiful run from Camavinga from his half before laying down the ball for Vinicius, and the Brazilian blasted the ball into the net and left Ederson with no chance.
Madrid almost doubled their lead from Benzema’s close-range header from Kroos’ free-kick but Ederson was there to make a crucial save.
De Bruyne leveled for City after collecting a pass outside the box following a beautiful play from Gundogan, and the Belgian fired a first-touch shot to beat Courtois at the bottom right corner.
The tie is finely poised ahead of the return leg at City’s Etihad Stadium in England next week.
