Jude Bellingham is again the hero for Real Madrid with a goal in the 93rd minute of play to secure a 3-2 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League knockout stage. A spot in the last 16 is on the line and it looked like City were heading into the second leg with a victory following Erling Haaland’s brace, but late goals from Brahim Diaz and Bellingham along with mistakes from Ederson changed the narrative. Real Madrid deserved to win the match but were up against it after Dani Ceballos conceded a penalty fouling Phil Foden but considering that City allowed 3.39 expected goals at the Etihad with everything on the line, this was a warranted loss.
Erling Haaland did his part in taking care of business but for multiple goals, the City goalkeeper was baited on Madrid’s winner with Vinicius Junior drawing him out of his box and flicking the ball while hoping for a prayer. Bellingham answered it with a good finish under pressure in the dying moments. City have now dropped 25 points from leading positions and four of their Champions League losses or draws have now come after leading.
Under Pep Guardiola, this version of City is further than they’ve ever been from being contenders for the Champions League crown, and collapses like this show why. Real Madrid were without their top defenders and only won by a thread, but with advancing as the goal, Los Blancos did just enough even if it may have been from the flight of the ball off of Kylian Mbappe’s shin that got them back into it.
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