Madrid come from behind and will play for their place in the next round at the Bernabéu

An epic night at the Etihad Stadium saw Real Madrid deservedly get the better of Manchester City to take the lead in the tie. Our team were 2-1 down with 86 minutes played, but the closing stages were yet another example of the fight-to-the-last attitude that defines the club, culminating in a stunning comeback. Haaland put the hosts in front in the first half, before Mbappé levelled after the break. Haaland made it two for the English side from the spot with 80 minutes gone, but Brahim struck six minutes later before Bellingham sealed victory for Ancelotti's boys in injury time. A place in the Champions League Round of 16 will be decided at the Santiago Bernabéu next Wednesday.

Real Madrid came out to press high at the Etihad Stadium, winning the ball back brilliantly in the opposition half early on. That gave way to the first couple of chances, as Vini Jr. nutmegged Akanji in the centre of the park on 11’ and played it through for Mbappé with the outside of his boot, but the Frenchman couldn't stretch enough to beat Ederson in the one-on-one. A minute later, Rodrygo played the ball over the top of the hosts' defence for Mendy, who burst into the box and laid it to Vini Jr. The Brazilian sent it back with the goalkeeper beaten but Aké managed to clear the full-back's attempt off the line.

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Ancelotti's boys were well on top now, only for Manchester City to take their lead with their first shot on goal. Haaland opening the scoring with 19 minutes on the clock, although there was a four-minute VAR review, as the Norwegian was right on the cusp of being ruled off-side. Real Madrid reacted quickly to going behind, and on 25’, Vini Jr. got his shot off, but it struck Akanji and looped over Ederson, only to come back off the crossbar. From one bar to the other - 11 minutes later De Bruyne whipped in a corner and this time Akanji's header crashed off the woodwork. The closing stages of the half were positive for our team, who could have levelled through Mbappé twice in quick succession, most notably when his shot deflected off Aké and flew narrowly wide of the target.

Mbappé finds the equaliser
The action continued to come thick and fast around both boxes when the teams emerged from the dressing rooms. Haaland did well to create space and fire off a quick shot, which hit Camavinga and bobbled onto the top of the bar. From that point on, the game shifted firmly in our favour, and could have been all square on 53’. Vini Jr.'s cross was headed just wide by Bellingham, and two minutes later, Ederson reacted brilliantly to keep out Mbappé's effort from inside the box. Madrid deserved to at least be level by now, and with 60 minutes gone, they got the reward their efforts merited. This time, Mbappé made no mistake - Ceballos played the ball into him and the Frenchman acrobatically steered it into the back of the net.

Breathtaking finale
Real Madrid weren't about to settle for the draw though, and they came within inches of taking the lead on 63’, as Valverde's vicious effort flew just past the upright. Minutes later, Bellingham raced through against Ederson, who did superbly to keep him out. Luck wasn't smiling on our boys, and on 80’, the hosts were back in front after Haaland converted from the spot. But Real Madrid never stop believing, and with 86 minutes on the clock, the game was level once more. Vini Jr.'s strike bounced off Ederson's chest into the path of Brahim, who reacted sharply to send the ball past the hosts' goalkeeper. Vini Jr. was at it again in injury time, sprinting away from Lewis and dinking the ball over Ederson. Just as it looked to be rolling wide, Bellingham raced to the line and steered it into the empty net. Victory at the Etihad and one step closer to the round of 16 - the tie will be decided at the Bernabéu next week.