It was one of the all-time European classics as Manchester City traded tackles with Real Madrid in the 2023/34 Champions League quarterfinal first leg at Santiago Bernabeu.
Bernardo Silva raced the visitors into the lead just 108 seconds into the game. The Portuguese midfield sensation scored a stunning freekick with a low shot away from the Real Madrid wall.
10 minutes after the free-kick goal, an own goal by Ruben Diaz saw Real Madrid even the scores and then went in front two minutes later through Rodrygo’s strike.
The quick double was enough to overturn the game in a flash and hand the Los Blancos a deserved lead at the break.
While the hosts ruled the first half, City dominated the second. Six minutes after the hour mark, Phil Foden scored a stunning long-range strike to equalise for City.
Five minutes later, Josko Gvardiol fired the visitors into the lead. The Pep Guardiola-led team was close to running away with a win before Valverde struck 11 minutes from time to peg back the European champions to a dramatic 3-3 draw.
Jude Bellingham and Erling savaged for floppy show
All eyes were on two of the world’s biggest footballing prospects – Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland – as the two best teams in Europe locked horns at Santiago Bernabeu.
The pair were expected to recreate their magical legwork, stealthy runs, creative passes, and great goalscoring abilities. However, it appears the rollercoaster clash found the two players on their lows.
Erling Haaland was pocketed by Anthony Rudiger and was struggling to connect with City’s passes. French outlet L’Equipe described Haaland as the ‘flop of the match’ as he never weighed in on the game.
Jude Bellingham equally had a difficult going, navigating his way through City’s star-studded midfield.
Far from his stealthy moves, Pep Guardiola effectively nibbed the England star in the bud with his best defensive midfielders featuring Mateo Kovacic and Rodri.
While the game was a thriller, it was a disappointing outing for Haaland and Bellingham. The pair will hope to make up with a more competitive performance in the return leg at Etihad next week.
