Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham (R) celebrates winning goal with teammates, during UEFA Champions League first leg playoff against Manchester City, at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England.
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Real Madrid Strikes Late To Beat Manchester City

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Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham struck a last-minute goal to give the UEFA Champions League defending champions a 3-2 victory against Manchester City, in a thrilling first leg of their knockout phase playoff, at the Etihad Stadium.

City striker Erling Haaland opened the scoring with his first career goal against Real Madrid in the 19th minute, when Josko Gvardiol chested the ball down to the 24-year-old Norwegian, who volleyed into the far corner. The goal was given after fans held their breath through a four-minute VAR check for offside.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland scores against Real Madrid.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe levelled in the 60th minute with a rebound off a free kick, awkwardly looping the ball off his shin over goalkeeper Ederson and into the net.

Then in the 80th minute, Haaland struck from the penalty spot, awarded after Dani Ceballos took down Phil Foden in the box. 2-1!!

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland scores penalty.

It was his 49th goal in 48 UEFA Champions League games.

But City have struggled to hold onto leads this season, conceding seven goals in the final 15 minutes of Champions League matches.

And former City player Brahim Diaz pounced on a poor clearance by Ederson of Vinicius Jr’s shot to tap home in the 86th minute.

Real Madrid forward, Brahim Diaz (R) celebrates goal with Vinicius Jr. (L).

England international Bellingham then scored the winner in the 92nd minute to groans from City fans after a shaky pass back from Mateo Kovacic to Rico Lewis saw Vinicius nip in and loop the ball over from the left.

Bellingham got in front of John Stones to slot home and win the match.

Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham (L) scores winning goal against Manchester City.

“It was a weird one. We played some of our best football of the season and ended up behind,” Bellingham said. “I think we were playing well and creating a lot.”

“We were always confident throughout the game that something would drop for us. I don’t care what form City are in, they are still an unbelievable team. It’s always tricky to play against them and we finally took the chance at the end.”

The result sets up what should be a thrilling second leg on February 19th in Madrid ,between two of Europe’s most famous teams and biggest rivals.

Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League results

Source Reuters UEFA Champions League
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