REAL MADRID 1-2 MAN CITY: Pep Guardiola’s side now seem destined for the knockout stages of the Champions League after coming from behind to win in Spain
Manchester City piled the pressure on Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso as they staged an eye-catching comeback victory at the Bernabeu in the Champions League.
City looked to be on the way to a nightmare start after the hosts were handed an early penalty, only for VAR to intervene. But they could not be rescued midway through the first-half as Rodrygo gave the Spanish giants the lead with a lethal finish.
Defender Nico O’Reilly levelled matters for the Premier League side just before the break. The game was then turned on its head before half-time as Erling Haaland scored from the penalty spot following a VAR review.
Here are all of the talking points from the Bernabeu:
READ MORE: Why finishing in top eight Champions League spots means avoiding unwanted fixture pile-upREAD MORE: Erling Haaland under no illusions over Manchester City demands – ‘they have to replace me’
VAR saves City
Real Madrid thought they had been given a golden opportunity for an early lead after Matheus Nunes seemingly tripped Vinicius Jr in the penalty area. And despite clearly fouling the Brazilian, the City man’s blushes were spared as VAR intervened and adjudged the foul to have taken place outside of the area.
Guardiola’s side were not totally out of the woods as Federico Valverde took aim with a low effort but a crucial touch from O’Reilly nudged the ball away, with Gianluigi Donnarumma stranded.
Rodrygo proves a point
Brazilian wideman Rodrygo has certainly not been a man in favour at Real Madrid this season. He has been linked with a move away from the club throughout the campaign after limited chances under Alonso.
But he might be firmly back in with a shout after a brilliant goal – his first since March. After a flowing move, Jude Bellingham fed him on the right flank, with the Real star sending a low effort past Donnarumma, who might have felt he could have done better.
If anything, it might have been expected, with Rodrygo having netted against Man City five times throughout his career.
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O’Reilly equalises
With the likes of Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden on the pitch, it would not have been a surprise to see City’s equaliser come from any of the three. But it came from a very unlikely source in defender O’Reilly.
After Thibaut Courtois failed to deal with a corner, the ball fell to the young defender, who swivelled and scored from close range. It represented the 20-year-old’s first Champions League goal. Having given Rodrygo far too much space for the opener, he might have felt he did enough to make up for it.
Real pay the penalty
Just when it looked like the VAR drama was over for one half, the referee was beckoned to the screen once more. Haaland looked as though he was taken down in front of goal by Rudiger, albeit the referee did not spot the incident.
He had no doubt on second viewing and awarded City a spot-kick. Haaland himself was the man to step up and nonchalantly beat Courtois. The Norwegian now has an eye-watering 21 goals for City this season already.
Courtois keeps City at bay
It will be no shock to find out that Courtois is one of the best goalkeepers in world football – if not the best. And he underlined that status once again with another standout performance for Real, albeit it in defeat.
The Belgian produced a series of brilliant stops throughout the game, one double save in particular catching the eye. Without him, it might have been a bruising night for Real and manager Alonso.
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