Manchester City won a Champions League classic at the Etihad, beating Real Madrid 4-3 on Tuesday night.
It means they’ll head to the Bernabeu for next week’s semi-final second leg with a one-goal advantage over the 13-time European champions.
The city got their first after just two minutes when Riyad Mahrez picked out Kevin De Bruyne inside the box and the Belgian stooped down to head in the cross, and in doing so, scored the fastest-ever Champions League semi-final goal.
It didn’t take long for City to get a second, with De Bruyne this time turning provider as his pin-point cross into the area found Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian beat David Alaba to the ball swiveled, and then placed it beyond Thibaut Courtois.
Mahrez then hit the side netting when he should have passed to Foden who was free at the back post, while the No.47 fired an effort just wide following a counterattack.
But from around 25 minutes, Real began to capitalize on some City sloppiness and saw more of the ball themselves.
David Alaba went close with a header before Karim Benzema clawed one back on 33 minutes when he found a gap in the City box and finished with a first-time finish from Ferland Mendy’s cross.
Then Rodrygo’s powerful shot was saved before Eder Militao headed over from a corner.
But it was City who came out the stronger after the break and nearly scored again within the opening minutes, as Mahrez hit the post, and then Foden’s follow-up effort was blocked on the line by Dani Carvajal.
City made it 3-1 soon after when Fernandinho picked out Foden at the back post with a cross, and the England international headed it in.
But again Real pulled one back, this time when Vinicius Junior beat Fernandinho to the ball and ran almost the entire length of the half before placing it into the far corner.
It took until the 74th minute for City to grab their fourth when Bernardo Silva rifled in a shot from the edge of the box after the referee had played advantage following Toni Kroos’s foul on Oleksandr Zinchenko.
But the scoring wasn’t over and Aymeric Laporte was punished late on for a handball in the box, which Benzema converted from the spot via a delicious chip.
Ruben Dias had two chances in the final stages but was inches away from connecting with two crosses at the back post.
They proved to be the final chances of a frantic but incredible game. Here’s how we rated the players.
Manchester City player ratings
Ederson- 6
Had a few saves to make in the latter stage of the first half, including a powerful one from Rodrygo, but couldn’t have gotten near to any of Real’s first two goals.
John Stones- 6 (of 36)
Played well at right-back, but the injury that meant he was a doubt pre-match forced him to come off near the end of the first half. Stones used the ball and stepped into midfield on a few occasions to give City an advantage in the middle.
Ruben Dias- 6
Had a few sloppy moments and his first-half blushes were spared by the assistant referee’s flag after his near-own-goal hit the post. But Dias defended well and was physically imposing against Benzema.
Aymeri Laporte- 5
Was solid in possession, although partly to blame for Benzema’s goal after he ran off the City No14. Laporte also gave away the penalty on 80 minutes.
Oleksandr Zinchenko- 7
Did well stepping inside and helping in midfield, while also advancing down the line. Zinchenko also pushed down the line and linked well with Foden. However, he was partly to blame for Benzema’s goal as the striker got a toe to the ball in front of Zinchenko.
Rodri- 7
Made City tick in the middle and constantly dropped deep to collect the ball off City’s center-backs. The former Atletico Madrid man was also a physical presence up against Luka Modric and Federico Valverde.
Kevin De Bruyne- 8
Our man of the match once again after a virtuoso display where he pulled the strings for City. De Bruyne was the heart of so many impressive attacks, not least three of the four goals. His work rate, well-timed runs, and industrious work rate helped City to the win.
Bernardo Silva- 7
Full of energy as always, the Portugal international habitually looked to move the ball forward. Silva also enjoyed a real battle against the opposition midfield and scored a fantastic goal in 74 minutes.
Riyad Mahrez- 6
Picked out De Bruyne for the opener and hit the post after the break, but the winger was the quietest of City’s starting front three.
Gabriel Jesus- 6 (off 82)
Phil Foden- 7
Moved the ball well and his rapid dribbles caused Real repeated issues. Foden took his header well and shot just wide in the first half.
Fernandinho- 6 (on 36)
By and large, did well at right-back, but was beaten for Vinicius’s goal in 55 minutes. Fernandinho got forward on a few occasions and was an option off right.
Raheem Sterling (on 82)
Real Madrid player ratings
Was impressive in the first half and made some well-timed runs, while his goal was exquisitely taken. However, Jesus’s influence waned as the game continued.
Courtois 5; Carvajal 5, Militao 5, Alaba 4 (Nacho 46;6) Mendy 6; Valverde 6 (Asensio 88), Kroos 6, Moric 5 (Ceballos 79); Rodrygo 5 (Camavigna 70;), Benzema 7, Vinicius 6.
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