Real Madrid 3-3 Man City: Champions League quarter-final evenly poised after classic first leg

Holders Manchester City and Real Madrid shared six goals in a thriller to leave their Champions League quarter-final evenly poised after the first leg at the Bernabeu.

Two deflected strikes brought 14-time European Cup winners Madrid level. First Eduardo Camavinga’s long-range effort hit Ruben Dias and spun into the far corner of Stefan Ortega’s goal, before Rodrygo got in behind the City defence and poked home via Manuel Akanji’s heel.

City were dominant in possession throughout but lacked quality in the final third – until Phil Foden stepped up.

The England midfielder had been on the edge of the game but found space just outside the area to turn and fire into the top corner to pull City level.

Moments later left-back Josko Gvardiol cut in and found the far corner with a superb right-foot shot to score his first goal since joining City from RB Leipzig in the summer.

However, Madrid equalised with a stunning volley from Federico Valverde to set up an intriguing second leg on Wednesday, 17 April at Etihad Stadium, where City beat Madrid 4-0 in last season’s semi-finals.

There was late concern for City though, with Foden hobbling after a late tackle on his ankle.

Foden allayed fears of a serious injury, telling TNT Sports he had a “bad dead leg” and was hopeful of being fit for Saturday’s Premier League home game against Luton.

City show resolve

Manchester City, who won this competition for the first time last season as part of a historic Treble, came into this game with Kevin de Bruyne on the bench after the Belgium midfielder was ill on Tuesday.

They got the perfect start when Silva cleverly curled in the opener after Aurelien Tchouameni, who will now miss the second leg, fouled Jack Grealish.

Guardiola’s team were rocked by Madrid’s quickfire response, but showed patience in their build-up with Madrid happy to sit off the Premier League champions, only pressing when City got near the penalty area.

It worked for large parts of the game and opened up counter-attacking opportunities for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but City’s quality eventually told.

Foden had been quiet, drifting between wide right and attacking midfield, but his superb season continued when he smartly turned and fired an unstoppable drive into the top-right corner of the goal.

When Gvardiol put the visitors ahead, just a second win at the Bernabeu looked on for City, before they were pegged back by Valverde’s wonderful low drive.

However, City now have the chance at home to progress to the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive season, where in recent years they have blown sides away in the Champions League.

Madrid exploit City’s lack of pace

This is a very different Real Madrid team to the all-conquering sides which dominated the tournament this century.

Their general shape, often with 11 men behind the ball, showed City a lot of respect, and perhaps vulnerability on the back of last season’s chastening defeat in Manchester.

However, their solid defensive shape allowed them to exploit one of the few weaknesses City have.

At the back Guardiola’s side lack pace, especially with the continued absence of Kyle Walker, and that allowed Rodrygo to get in down the City right for the second Madrid goal.

It was a weakness that Madrid, who are top of La Liga and had nine days off coming into the game, continued to target but Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo all saw efforts saved or go wide.

It is a tactic they are likely to use at the Etihad in eight days’ time, but last season Ancelotti’s side struggled to gain possession in the second leg against a fired-up City, so opportunities may be few and far between.

It will be fascinating to see if Guardiola’s team, who are one point off top spot in the Premier League and into the FA Cup semi-finals, can do it again and continue their march towards another Treble.

Player of the match

The footPhil Foden

Real Madrid

1. Squad number10Player nameModric

2. Squad number7Player nameVinícius Junior

3. Squad number11Player nameRodrygo

4. Squad number15Player nameValverde

5. Squad number5Player nameBellingham

6. Squad number22Player nameRüdiger

7. Squad number12Player nameCamavinga

8. Squad number8Player nameKroos

9. Squad number2Player nameCarvajal

10. Squad number23Player nameMendy

11. Squad number21Player nameDíaz

12. Squad number18Player nameTchouaméni

13. Squad number14Player nameJoselu

14. Squad number13Player nameThe moon