Real Madrid host Manchester City in the Champions League this evening with the two teams set to renew their rivalry as they both seek to progress to the last-16 stage of the competition.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side hold the advantage after a thrilling finale to the first leg at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland sent City into the lead before Kylian Mbappe equalised on the hour mark. A converted Haaland penalty 10 minutes from time seemed to be enough for City only for Brahim Diaz to score for the visitors before Jude Bellingham netted a stoppage time winner.
Trailing by a goal ahead of this second leg means City have a ‘one percent chance’ of getting through according to Pep Guardiola and with a weakened defence the Premier League champions have their work cut out at the Bernabeau tonight.
Follow along with all the latest Champions League updates from our live blog below:
‘There’ll be no way back for City’
“5-2 on aggregate now and there will surely be no way back for City now.
“They look stretched when Real attack. Mbappe’s pace could make him the worst possible opponent for a team who have to chase a game.
“And even though City have included some of the younger, more physical players they bought in January, Real still look stronger and quicker; especially when up against Ilkay Gundogan.”
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
39 mins: Jude Bellingham is booked for a tackle on Phil Foden.
He clips his England teammate and gives up a free kick.
Bellingham rolls his eyes when the card comes out and isn’t pleased about the punishment.
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg)
36 mins: Real Madrid could run riot here.
Manchester City are nowhere near their best and haven’t really trouble Thibaut Courtois.
They need to score three goals now and have to start attacking the area.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Man City (5-2 agg) – Kylian Mbappe, 33′
Game over!
That’s enough for Real Madrid who will storm to victory from here.
Bellingham slides Vinicius Jr in on the right side and he squares the ball.
Madrid knock it into the area to Mbappe who cuts inside Gvardiol and sits the defender down.
Mbappe then curls a fine effort past Ederson and makes Madrid’s lead too much for City.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
29 mins: Save!
Another long ball over the top gets Mbappe in behind the City line once more.
He nudges the ball into the box and then fizzes a shot at goal only for Ederson to palm it away.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
27 mins: A quick break from Madrid sees Vinicius Jr bring the ball forward before laying it off to Mbappe on the left.
He floats a cross into the far side of the box and almost finds Federico Valverde only for a last ditch header to take the ball away from him.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
24 mins: Khusanov is going to have a tough night.
Real Madrid are targeting him with ease, Jude Bellingham is the latest to dribble past the defender and win a corner.
City deal with this set piece too.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
21 mins: A corner from Rodrgyo is flicked onto the head of Jude Bellingham.
He nods it over towards the back post where Mbappe looks for the volley.
Josko Gvardiol gets there before him and clears the danger.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
18 mins: A City free kick is headed comfortably clear by Real who seem very pleased and happy with how things are playing out… rightly so.
Any nerves or pressure has evaporated completely and the hosts seem dangerous every time they go forward.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (4-2 agg)
15 mins: This tie might be over already. Another Real goal will certainly send the hosts through.
Vini Jr takes on Khusanov and dances around him with the simplest of step-overs.
His pass into the box is then deflected out for a corner.
Source: independent.co.uk
