Jude Bellingham on Tuesday snatched a stoppage-time winner as Real Madrid twice came from behind to beat Manchester City 3-2 in the first leg of their blockbuster UEFA Champions League playoff tie Tuesday, while Paris Saint-Germain took command of an all-French clash with Stade Brestois 29.
Erling Haaland’s double — his first goals in five appearances against Madrid — looked to have secured Pep Guardiola’s side a slender advantage, but instead the reigning European champions now go into next week’s return leg in Spain as strong favorites to reach the last 16.
“It was a weird one. We played some of our best football of the season and ended up behind,” Bellingham told Amazon Prime. “I don’t care what form City are in, they are still an unbelievable team. It’s always tricky to play against them and we finally took the chance at the end.”
Photo: AFP
It is the fourth consecutive season City and Madrid have met in the knockout phase of the competition, with the winner in each of the past three encounters going on to lift the Champions League trophy.
City overcame a slow start at the Etihad and took the lead in the 19th minute as Haaland steered past Thibaut Courtois after Josko Gvardiol chested down a pass from Jack Grealish.
Vinicius Junior hit the crossbar for Madrid before City defender Manuel Akanji did likewise with a header, while Haaland was denied a second goal right after halftime when his deflected shot came back off the woodwork.
Madrid equalized on the hour after the City wall blocked a free-kick, with Dani Ceballos clipping the ball back into the area where Mbappe’s mishit volley looped into the net after coming off his shin and leaving Ederson stranded.
City regained the lead 10 minutes from time as Haaland stuck away a penalty after Phil Foden was clattered by Ceballos.
However, former City player Brahim Diaz leveled for Madrid in the 86th minute after a dreadful kick by Ederson, and Bellingham punished the hosts for more suspect defending as the England midfielder struck the winning goal at the death.
“I don’t know how to put it into words straight away, it’s so raw and frustrating for everyone,” City defender John Stones said.
“It’s a feeling of anger and frustration,” Stones added. “We need to see games out better. We need to step up when these bad moments happen.”
In France, Ousmane Dembele continued his sensational goal-scoring form as he netted twice for PSG in a 3-0 win over Brest, while Juventus won 2-1 at home to PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their tie in Turin and Borussia Dortmund were on the cusp of the last 16 after winning 3-0 away to Portugal’s Sporting.
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