Real Madrid 1, Manchester City 1 (UEFA Champions League Semi Final 1st Leg)
Kevin De Bruyne’s second half equaliser cancelled out Vinicius Junior’s first half rocket as Manchester City fully deserved the first leg draw at Real Madrid.
Embed from Getty ImagesReal Madrid exhibited their near supernatural calm in a competition they have a much storied history in when they took a first half lead with their only shot on goal – a Vinicius Junior thunderbolt from outside the box – after Manchester City could not make their early dominance of the ball and multiple attempts to beat Thibaut Courtois count.
But De Bruyne levelled matters when City stoped trying to walk the ball in and the Belgian lashed in his own 25 yard shot after Edouard Camavinga’s pass out of defence was intercepted by Rodri.
In between City were clearly the better side but could have had a bigger advantage to take back to the Etihad after they dominated the first half in the Madrid heat but will be glad for Ederson who prevented a late Real goal as their hosts improved.
City boss Pep Guardiola made five changes from the side that beat Leeds United on Saturday.
Kyle Walker, John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, and Jack Grealish came into the side.
Rico Lewis, Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, and the injured Nathan Ake stepped down.
Walker was the only change from the team that played in the quarter-final as Guardiola named as strong a side as he could – many of City players had played at the Bernabeu before but one man – Erling Haaland – had not.
Real named Antonio Ruddier in defence for the suspended Eder Militao to combat Haaland while Toni Kronos was fit to start and Edouardo Camavinga played at left back.
Jack Grealish seemed to pick up an early injury while tackling Rodrygo in the opening minutes and City had early jitters when Vinicius Junior’s cross reached Benzema and Ruben Dias hit his clearance against Grealish before City bundled it away.
Courtois made a quick save after 8 minutes when Bernardo Silva’s cutback was thrashed goal wards by Kevin De Bruyne from 20 yards out.
And Cortois also tipped away a Rodri shot 6 minutes later and saved a Haaland header shortly after that as City applied the pressure.
Rodrygo played in Benzema but Ederson was off his line quickly to collect the ball.
John Stones was fouled on the edge of the area but the referee played on and the home crowd were soon on the back of their side who were unable to get out of their own half.
Vinicius Junior’s cross was cut out by Dias before it reached Benzema who was waiting for the tap-in as City remained in danger on the break despite their early possession.
Ilkay Gundogan was elbowed in the face by Rudiger leading to a lengthy stoppage as the German was treated.
Benzema was released by Valverde but was penalised for handball but then Real, emboldened, broke in the next attack and Vinicius Junior scored with a 25 yard drive from behind the retreating Dias after Camavinga drove forward from left back and set up his team mate for a super strike – his 23rd goal of the season in the 36th minute.
Ederson was unsighted by his own defender and City were rattled and they suddenly couldn’t make headway against Real.
Gundogan’s ball across the face of goal was too far in front of Haaland as City got their composure back only for the half time to save Real.
The dark arts were in full flow and Dani Carvajal made the most of a deliberate collision with Grealish and milked the reaction by the England man before he was told to get up while Kroos took out Gundogan before the break for which he got a booking.
Benzema blazed over after a deflection by Stones as Real remained dangerous on the break.
And Courtois saved twice from De Bruyne as City were forced to continue shooting from range.
But City had to defend stoutly as Real came looking for a second goal and Fede Valverde blazed over after City conceded a couple of corners to some pressure.
And Valverde tried to claim for a penalty off Grealish but there was no VAR check for the close range deflection.
Kevin De Bruyne earns a draw for Manchester City with a 25 yard strike
And after 67 minutes Kevin De Bruyne scored from 25 yards when he lashed the ball low into the bottom corner after Rodri had intercepted a sloppy pass out of defence by Camavinga and City recycled the ball through Grealish and Gundogan before the German laid the ball on for the Belgian to level matters.
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti was booked for persistently protesting that the goal should have been chalked off due to it going out of play in the build-up but there were no good angles to confirm.
The drama wasn’t over – Gundogan gave away a free kick 20 yards out on the right but David Alaba blazed it over.
Ederson saved from Benzema’s close range header before the first substitution was made by either side – Marco Asensio came on with 9 minutes to go, replacing Rodrygo.
And Aurelian Tchouameni followed soon afterwards, replacing Kroos with Real looking to hold on as City pushed for another goal after their hosts started picking up bookings.
Bernardo Silva caught Vinicius Junior on the left of the penalty area, and Luka Modric’s free kick was headed out for a corner before the Croat was taken off for Nacho and Dias headed the set piece away.
Tchouameni’s rising strike had to be tipped away by Ederson and Vinicius Junior’s shot was blocked by Grealish and Camavinga’s shot was blocked by Walker as Real finished strongly.
There was an opportunity to score a winner for City but only De Bruyne went up with Haaland on a fast break – a sign that City were maturing as a side as they accepted the draw to take Real back to the Etihad.