Real Madrid edged past Manchester City with a thrilling 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium during the first leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoff on February 12, 2025. This remarkable match saw Madrid come from behind twice, with Jude Bellingham netting the stoppage-time winner, sending shockwaves through the home fans.
The game kicked off with immediate intensity, as both teams sought to impose their styles early on. Manchester City struck first; Erling Haaland opened the scoring with his first goal against Real Madrid, capitalizing on Josko Gvardiol's assist after Jack Grealish had chipped the ball to the left-back. After just 18 minutes, Haaland’s predatory finish set the tone, giving City the early advantage.
Real Madrid responded swiftly with attacks of their own, nearly equalizing when Kylian Mbappé rattled the crossbar with his powerful strike. The French forward was not to be denied, and by the 60th minute, he leveled the match with a surprisingly mishit shot from Dani Ceballos’ free kick—a fortunate goal after a series of near misses from the Madrid squad.
City retook the lead when Dani Ceballos received a controversial penalty for his foul on Phil Foden. Haaland confidently converted it, pushing City to 2-1 with just over ten minutes remaining. It appeared the home side would walk away with the lead, but Madrid demonstrated their resilience.
Brahim Díaz, who had come off the bench, capitalized on Ederson's half-hearted save to level the match at 2-2. The moment was particularly sweet for Díaz, as it came against his former team, demonstrating his quality when it mattered most.
With the match heading toward its final minutes, the tension mounted. Madrid, momentarily satisfied with the draw, found late inspiration. Vinícius Júnior maneuvered close to the goal, lifting the ball toward Bellingham, who slotted it home with precision, completing Madrid's comeback and sealing the game at 3-2.
This win sets the stage for the second leg, with Real Madrid now holding the advantage heading back home. Manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed pride, stating, "They are one of the best teams in Europe and they have the best manager (Pep Guardiola) out there. It’s a nightmare preparing for games against him because he always has ideas to make you think.”
Pep Guardiola faced criticism over the match, admitting, “Now it’s like, I don’t know,” reflecting his uncertainty after the game. Despite City’s impressive displays leading up to this match, they faltered during key moments against Madrid's attacking prowess.
Bellingham’s last-gasp winner encapsulated the drama of the night and exemplified Real Madrid's unwavering spirit, characteristic of their storied history. The players will be buoyed by this victory as they prepare to face their next opponent, knowing they are just one step closer to advancing to the next round. With this thrilling encounter, the clash of these football giants has once again proven why the Champions League is considered the pinnacle of club football.