Real Madrid secured a thrilling 2-3 victory against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on February 14, 2023, marking a significant step forward in the Champions League round of 16.
On what was expected to be a challenging night, Real Madrid managed to turn the tide against Manchester City, known for their formidable home record. The team, led by Carlo Ancelotti, showcased resilience as they overcame two deficits to clinch the win, providing Madrid fans with hope as they head back to Santiago Bernabéu for the second leg.
The match kicked off with Real Madrid appearing much sharper than anticipated, putting City’s high-pressure tactics to the test. Early on, the Blanco squad created two clear scoring opportunities within the first ten minutes. One notable moment saw Kylian Mbappé close to scoring, only for Ederson to foil him with a spectacular save. Another chance fell to Ferland Mendy, who found himself alone at the second post but failed to convert, hitting the ball wide of the goal.
Despite these missed chances, it was Manchester City who struck first. A deep ball found Erling Haaland capitalizing on defensive lapses, putting City 1-0 up at the 18-minute mark. The video assistant referee (VAR) spent several minutes reviewing the play for potential offside but confirmed the goal. This setback momentarily riled up Madrid, who struggled to regain their early momentum, allowing City to dictate the match for the next quarter-hour.
Nevertheless, the resilient spirit of Madrid came to life as they regrouped late in the first half, creating more chances. The second half began with Haaland posing danger again, yet it was Mbappé who brought Madrid back on level footing at 60 minutes. After receiving a ball from Dani Ceballos, Mbappé's unorthodox touch found its way past Ederson, equalizing the score and shifting the momentum back toward the visitors.
Madrid seemed to be gaining confidence when, not long after, they nearly made it 2-1 with Jude Bellingham missing by inches. Yet, the tide shifted again when Ceballos conceded a weak penalty following unnecessary contact with Phil Foden. Haaland dutifully converted the penalty, putting City back up 2-1 at 79 minutes. Madrid, who had shown the most promise throughout, faced the hard truth of football: trailing after playing well.
But Real Madrid, the comeback kings of football, were not finished yet. Just as the clock ticked closer to 90 minutes, substitute Brahim Diaz pounced on a mistake from Ederson to equalize once more. The scenes were electric as he scored with his right foot, leaving City deflated.
Then, with just moments remaining, another defensive mishap from Guardiola’s side allowed Bellingham to score the winning goal. Following some trickery from Vinicius, the attack culminated with Bellingham netting the decisive goal, pushing the score to 3-2 for Madrid. It was nothing short of poetic for Madrid, who found themselves victorious after facing two setbacks.
Carlo Ancelotti applauded his team, noting their significant effort and commitment. “Es el camino a seguir, sin duda, y no solo por este partido. Empieza la temporada de verdad,” he said, reinforcing their drive going forward.
Contrastingly, Pep Guardiola reflected on the mounting pressure following such losses and how they had left points on the board. “Ha pasado muchas veces porque no consigo encontrar la solución,” he expressed, emphasizing the need for tactical adjustments before the return leg.
With this victory, Real Madrid has made strides toward securing their place among the Champions League's elite once more. They have set the stage for the return clash at the Bernabéu, where every fan's hopes will rest on maintaining this advantageous lead against the City and firmly securing their place in the knockout phase.
Despite setbacks, the night showcased Madrid's unwavering fighting spirit and tactical brilliance. With the forthcoming matchup at home, the anticipation is palpable as both teams prepare for what promises to be another electrifying encounter.