Man City strengthened their bid to finish in the top eight of the Champions League league phase with a 2-1 comeback win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
Real – led by Xabi Alonso, who is reportedly under severe pressure to keep his job after two wins from eight in all competitions since the start of November – took the lead when Rodrygo scored for the first time in 33 games.
But Nico O’Reilly levelled within seven minutes, before Erling Haaland’s penalty secured the win for City before half-time. It was his 55th goal in the competition in just 54 appearances.
City move up to fourth in the league-phase standings after just their second win at the Bernabeu, with Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray to play in the New Year. Real slip to seventh, with Benfica and Monaco still to come.
City earn rare win at the Bernabeu
There is rarely a shortage of drama in this fixture, which has now taken place in each of the last five editions of the tournament, and it was fired up inside two minutes, when Matheus Nunes’ lazy swipe brought down Vinicius Junior. A penalty was initially awarded, but the VAR intervened as the contact was outside the box.
Federico Valverde’s strike from the short free-kick that followed almost caught Gianluigi Donnarumma cold, but that was just the beginning.
Rodrygo put Real ahead with a fine low strike
Just before the half-hour, Rodrygo – whose last goal was against Atletico Madrid in March — shook off any rustiness by speeding past O’Reilly on the right and hitting a fine low strike across Gianluigi Donnarumma.
It was a deserved lead, but one that was short-lived. Thibaut Courtois could only parry Josko Gvardiol’s header straight to O’Reilly who could not miss from three yards to bring City level and, before long, the visitors were awarded a penalty.
Nico O’Reilly levelled with his first Champions League goal seven minutes later
Referee Clement Turpin went to the monitor after Antonio Rudiger had bundled Erling Haaland over in the box, but his review lasted only a matter of seconds. Haaland converted from the spot; he struck right, Courtois went left.
The reality of the situation finally seemed to hit Real as the final 10 minutes approached, and City were forced further and further back as a result.
Vinicius Junior passed ip several late chances to equalise for the hosts
Vinicius Junior was at the heart of the action, but could not test Donnarumma, while substitute Endrick powered a header at goal after being picked out by Alvaro Carreras, which came back off the crossbar. That just about summed up both Real’s night and their current run of form.
