Man City 4 Real Madrid 3 LIVE REACTION: Semi-final in the balance after frantic SEVEN-GOAL thriller at Etihad – updates
MANCHESTER CITY and Real Madrid played out one of the games of the season in the Champions League as Pep Guardiola's men came out on top with a 4-3 win in their semi-final first leg.
City went 2-0 up in 10 minutes thanks to goals from Kevin De Bruyne but Karim Benzema pulled one back before the break.
Phil Foden restored City's two-goal lead but Vinicus pulled it back to just one before Bernardo Silva scored a screamer for City to make it 4-2.
Benzema had the final say again, however, scoring a brilliant panenka penalty to ensure next week's second leg remained in the balance.
- Start time: 8pm BST
- TV/Live stream: BT Sport 2
- Man City XI: Ederson, Stones, Dias (C), Laporte, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Mahrez, Foden, Jesus
- Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Kroos, Modric, Valverde, Vinicus Jr, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo, Benzema
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Karim talks confidence
Karim Benzema gave his thoughts on this evening's seven goal thriller:
We had hope coming into this one and we fought till the end. We nw need our fans more than ever and have to win the second leg... City are a good team but we lacked a little bit of everything in the game, including confidence
Karim benzema, Real Madrid forwardWhen asked about his paneka, the Frenchman said: "The penalty was all about confidence. I have a lot of confidence in myself."
We believe you after that, Karim.
Guardiola: 'A fantastic game against an incredible team'
It was a fantastic game for both sides. We did many good things, but unfortunately we conceded the goals. We could have scored more. We played a fantastic game against an incredible team. Our build-up was so nervous, but they pressed really well and were strong. We are so proud... We are going to Madrid to try to win the game.
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City bossA short summary
Just in case you missed it...
Manchester City have edged Real Madrid 4-3 in an enthralling spectacle which truly had everything.
Kevin De Bruyne's header inside 90 seconds set the tone for Man City to grab another shortly after courtesy of Gabriel Jesus.
Benzema bit back against the run of play with a sharp finish inside Ederson's near post to deflate City's excitement before half-time.
Foden looked to put his side back in the ascendency before Vinicius instantly responded with a brilliant solo goal.
Bernardo Silva then fired a screamer past Courtois before the same happened again. Laporte's arm was the guilty party, and this time it was Benzema, from the spot, in style.
That's about it really. Oh, and City should have scored about seven more.
Manchester City ponder missed chances
You could recall several moments where City should have hit the back of the net, but couldn't quite make it count. I can remember only three or four players in sky blue who didn't have a clear cut opportunity.
In his post match interview, Phil Foden stated that "we have to take our chances more."
Beranardo Silva went on to say:
The first 20 minutes were so, so good. Over the 90 minutes it feels we could have won with a btter score. But we were not able to take advantage of our two-goal differences, which we had three times... Our fans should be proud of us. It's true we could have scored more, but that's football.
Bernardo Silva, Manchester city midfielderWho is the 'Real' winner?
City will rue missed chances, whilst Real Madrid looked beaten at times.
But the truth is, the spectators were the winners tonight.
We were treated to seven goals, with six or so brilliant in their own unique way.
Which was your favourite? Vinicius' solo run, Bernardo Silva's bullet or Karim Benzema's paneka? Oh what a night.
Nerves of steel
.Credit: Getty Karim Benzema's brace this evening makes him the first player in Champions League history to score five away goals in the knockout stages against clubs from a single nation.
But put that aside, he did it like this!
Full time - Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid
A Champions League Classic.
Football does not get any better than that!
It's all set up for the Bernabeu next week.
.Credit: Reuters Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid - Nacho yellow card
90+2 Nacho is late on Mahrez as he sweeps the ball out to Foden who wins the corner.
His ball in comes to nothing, though.
Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid
90, One pitch invader is followed by the other.
Please guys, not now.
A chance for the players to grab a breather, though.
Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid
90, Foden goes down after a push by Carvajal.
The board goes up for three added minutes.
I wouldn't bet against anything, here.
Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid
87, That is to be the winger's last involvement.
He's replaced by Asensio.
Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid
86, Benzema frees Vinicius down the left after a delightful nutmeg by Valverde. But the Brazilian rushes his effort, and fires the ball well over the bar from 15 yards.
Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid
84, Sterling nearly scores with his first touch, but doesn't make contact.
Mahrez curls the ball in and Dias was reaching for it at the back post, but couldn't make it count either.
Mahrez then tries ita gain, feeding Dias at the back post. Once again, he's inches away.
Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid - Fernandinho yellow card
83, Fernandinho goes into the referee's book for descent.
Presumably regarding the penalty.
Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid - Man city change
83, Sterling is on for the last ten minutes.
Jesus makes way.
GOAL! Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid
81, Ohhhh my word.
The nerve!
Benzema strolls up and paneka's the ball over the diving Ederson.
He missed two penalties last week!
This game...
Credit: Getty Manchester City 4-2 Real Madrid
81, VAR agree. It's Benzema to take...
Manchester City 4-2 Real Madrid
80, Penalty!
The referee points to the spot for a handball.
It looked to be Laporte's arm.
Manchester City 4-2 Real Madrid
79, Camavinga cruyff turns Foden to win a free kick.
It's Kroos to swing it in.
Manchester City 4-2 Real Madrid
79, That will be the Croat's last contribution this evening as he comes on for Ceballos.
Manchester City 4-2 Real Madrid
78, City hearts were in their mouths, there.
Modric shapes to shoot before making room for himself and striking a low effort narrowly wide.
That had Ederson worried.
Manchester City 4-2 Real Madrid
74, So nearly five!
Mahrez weaves down the right hand side before sliding an effort narrowly wide of the post.
You cannot take your eyes off it!
.Credit: Getty Manchester City 4-2 Real Madrid
73, The goals just get better and better this evening.
Zinchenko is caught by Kroos as he checks inside but the referee plays advantage.
Bernardo Silva then picks it up and smashes it into the top left corner like it was nothing.
Brilliant piece of refereeing, an even better strike.
Now, can City not concede?
GOAL! Manchester City 4-2 Real Madrid
73, Bernardo Silva screamer!
Manchester City 3-2 Real Madrid
71, Vinicius attempts to escape three blue shirts, but Fernandinho gets a foot in.
You sense City are building something, here.
