Manchester City edged out Real Madrid in an-all time UEFA Champions League classic at the Etihad. City scored four, but Real replied with three of their own, ensuring there was still life left in the tie ahead of its second leg, eight days later. Karim Benzema kept Los Blancos kept his side in the tie by scoring the first and third goals of the night.
Two minutes in, Manchester City led. A mazy run on the edge of the box by Riyad Mahrez created space for the Algerian to cross the ball in, which was subsequently headed past Thibaut Courtois by his compatriot Kevin de Bruyne.
De Bruyne supplied the assist for City’s second nine minutes later, his fizzed ball into the box, controlled and converted by Gabriel Jesus.
City missed two glorious chances to increase their lead before half-time, which left Pep Guardiola enraged by the touchline. His worst fears were realized when Benzema pulled one back out of nothing in the 33rd minute, diverting a cross from Ferland Mendy past Ederson.
Mahrez broke into space no sooner than the teams had settled into their respective shapes after the interval. The winger hit the far post with his curved attempt, and Phil Foden’s follow-up was blocked on the line by Dani Carvajal. However, the England international did have something to celebrate in the 53rd minute, as he headed in substitute right-back Fernandinho’s cross for City’s third.
Two minutes later, Vinicius Jr brought Real Madrid back to within one. The Brazilian left Fernandinho in his wake on the halfway line with an incredible piece of skill; rapidly covered the space vacated by the veteran; then coolly slotted the ball past Ederson for one of the more memorable goals of this edition of the Champions League.
Bernardo Silva restored City’s two-goal lead in the 74th minute with another goal-of-the-season contender. The Portuguese capitalized on the referee playing an advantage and rifled the ball in at Courtois’s near post from the edge of the box.
Once again, Los Blancos pulled a goal back; Benzema scored from the spot in the 82nd minute after Aymeric Laporte had handled the ball inside his box. The Frenchman’s brace kept the tie alive ahead of what promises to be an exciting second leg.
