Manchester City edges out Real Madrid – a 13-time European champions, in a thrilling first-leg of champions league semi-final at the Etihad Stadium, Qatar by 4-3 goals.
Manchester City will take a slender Champions League semi-final advantage to the Bernabeu after winning a seven-goal first-leg classic against Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium.
The city delivered a magnificent display as they peppered Real’s goal for long periods but Carlo Ancelotti’s side kept rising off the canvas to somehow keep themselves in serious contention to reach another final.
Kevin de Bruyne set the tone for a magical night of football with a diving header from Riyad Mahrez’s cross in the second minute and in-form Gabriel Jesus quickly added a second from close range as Real reeled under wave after wave of attacks.
Don’t miss out on what Karim Benzema did, What do you do when you have missed three penalties in the last month? Step up in a Champions League semi-final and score a Panenka, that’s what.
At least, that’s what Karim Benzema did anyway.
The Real Madrid striker showed nerves of steel as he dinked his spot-kick over Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson to make it 4-3 in their exhilarating first-leg defeat at Etihad Stadium.
The nonchalance summed up a sensational match between two of Europe’s heavyweights that showcased relentless attacking football throughout.
Ice cold, this guy. He has won four Champions League trophies. Even if it was in the last minute, he would’ve still executed it.
Rio Ferdinand – Former England defender
Six days earlier Benzema missed two penalties in Real Madrid’s win over Osasuna – but he netted his ninth goal in his last four Champions League games on Tuesday night.
I always have it in my head that if you don’t take a penalty, you will never miss a penalty
Karim Benzema
“That’s mental confidence, that’s all. I have a lot of confidence in myself so I do it and it turns out well.
“Now we have to go to the Bernabeu [for the second leg] and we will need our fans like never before and we are going to do something magical, which is win.” said Karim Benzema
He seems to be getting better and better. The audacity! It was incredible
Ex-England striker Alan Shearer
It was a frantic game at Etihad Stadium as City went 2-0 up within 11 minutes and missed several huge chances before Benzema got one back for Real before half-time.
City’s Phil Foden and Real’s Vinicius Junior scored in quick succession as the visitors kept fighting back, before Bernardo Silva fired the hosts 4-2 up.
Benzema’s late penalty ensured Real go into the second leg with just a one-goal deficit and manager Carlo Ancelotti believes the striker changed it up after missing two spot-kicks last week.
The crux of the game:
- De Bruyne scored the opener in the second minute.
- Jesus, Foden and Silva other scorers for Manchester City.
- Karim Benzema (two) and Vinicius Jr (1) are scorers for Real Madrid.
- Manchester City has never been beaten by Real Madrid at home.
- Real Madrid appearing in a Champions League semi-final for a record 15th time.
- City in their second successive Champions League semi-final.
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