The first leg only just ended minutes ago, yet next week’s UEFA Champions League second leg can’t come quickly enough after Manchester City and Real Madrid treated the football world to a breathless 3-3 draw in the Spanish capital on Tuesday.
[ MORE: Real Madrid vs Man City stats on FotMob.com ]
Three of the six goals were of the highest possible quality, as Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol and Federico Valverde, in that order, stole the show with 13 minutes of golazos late in the second half. That, after Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo scored to make it 2-1 in the game’s opening 14 minutes.
Notably absent from the long list of goalscorers…
Where art thou, Erling Haaland?
Prior to missing nearly two months with a foot injury between Dec. 6 and Jan. 31, Erling Haaland bagged 19 goals in 20 games (all competitions). Since returning, he has 11 goals in 15 appearances. If you account for his five goals against Luton Town in the FA Cup, however, it becomes 6 goals in 14 games — normal human numbers.
- 6 goals scored against Everton (two), Brentford, Manchester United, Copenhagen and Crystal Palace
- 0 goals scored in 447 minutes against Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea and, now, Real Madrid
What’s worse is the fact they won just one of the five “big” games (1W-4D-0L). Cause? Correlation? Probably a bit of both. From a Man City perspective, Phil Foden’s recent explosion has been a season-saving godsend for Pep Guardiola and Co.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City highlights, final score: 3-3
Goalscorers: Bernardo Silva (2'), Eduardo Camavinga (12'), Rodrygo (14'), Phil Foden (66'), Josko Gvardiol (71'), Federico Valverde (79')
79th minute - GOAL - Federico Valverde scores the best of the bunch to equalize
Take your pick: Valverde’s finish, or Vinicius’s pass (and vision) to set up it up?
FEDE VALVERDE. WHAT A STRIKE 🫨
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 9, 2024
Real Madrid are level AGAIN. What a game 🍿 pic.twitter.com/19U0XUhjCt
71st minute - GOAL - Josko Gvardiol scores an even better strike from distance for 3-2
From out of absolutely nowhere, Gvardiol bags his first goal for Manchester City in true style.
WHAT A WAY FOR JOŠKO GVARDIOL TO SCORE HIS FIRST MAN CITY GOAL 💥 pic.twitter.com/AxAM05M7gV
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 9, 2024
66th minute - GOAL - Phil Foden continues his tear with another golazo
Is this Phil Foden’s team now? Asking for — uh — Pep Guardiola.
PHIL FODEN. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! 🚀
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 9, 2024
WHAT A WAY TO LEVEL THE TIE. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/mJut91l1aY
14th minute - GOAL - Rodrygo makes it two in two minutes for Real Madrid
Man City completely caught out at midfield, beaten by Vinicius Junior’s through ball, as Rodrygo races in behind Ruben Dias and pokes the ball past Stefan Ortega to erase their deficit and take the lead in the span of 1 minute, 54 seconds.
TWO GOALS IN TWO MINUTES FOR REAL MADRID 😱
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 9, 2024
Game on at the Bernabéu 🌶️ pic.twitter.com/Fa2PAUPYnb
12th minute - GOAL - Eduardo Camavinga’s deflected shot wrong-foots Ortega for 1-1
Oh, what a wicked deflection can do to momentum in a game of football…
2nd minute - GOAL - Bernardo Silva sneaks a free kick in at the near post
A dream start for the defending European champions, as Andriy Lunin can’t stop Bernardo Silva’s early free kick. Real Madrid will have to throw caution to the wind for the next 88 minutes, and that could play into Man City’s hands as they focus more on managing the 180-minute tie from a position of power.
BERNADO SILVA STUNS THE BERNBÉU IN JUST TWO MINUTES ⚡
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 9, 2024
A quick free kick gives Man City the dream start! pic.twitter.com/gKxaECiwAR
How to watch Real Madrid vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3pm ET, Tuesday (April 9)
How to watch: Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Real Madrid starting lineup
Lunin — Carvajal, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Mendy — Camavinga, Kroos, Valverde — Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius
Manchester City starting lineup
Oretga — Dias, Gvardiol, Akanji — Stones, Rodri, Kovacic, Silva — Foden, Grealish, Haaland
Real Madrid team news, focus
Star defender David Alaba is out for the season with an ACL injury, while superstar goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has also been out for most of the season with an ACL. Real have an incredible defensive record even without that duo as the likes of Rudiger and Lunin have stood tall with Tchouameni playing extremely well out of position at center back. Camavinga is having a fine season in midfield and Valverde and Bellingham drive Real on from midfield into attack. Obviously Vinicius is the danger man and not having to face Kyle Walker in this game is a huge bonus for the Brazilian.
Manchester City team news, focus
Two key defensive injuries will hurt City as Walker’s pace has led to some great battles against Vinicius over the years and is a great equalizer and helps City recover quickly. Ake is missing too and Josko Gvardiol is a doubt, so Manuel Akanji could start at left back if Pep goes for a flat back four. In midfield Rodri and De Bruyne are definitely going to start, while Phil Foden has to too. Can City feed Erling Haaland often? And can he win the individual battle against Rudiger?
