Manchester : Manchester City and Real Madrid had a thrilling encounter in the first leg of UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Etihad stadium on Wednesday ( April 27). Manchester City won the first leg by 4-3 and would travel to Madrid with just one goal advantage.
City started the match strongly as Kevin de Bruyne put city forward within first two minutes of the play. The Belgian netted a header to help him team take the lead. The lead was doubled by Gabriel Jesus who scored on 11 minutes.
Jesus maintained his scoring streak for City. As City were looking threatning and had a comfortable start to their game. Pep Guardiola’s men were superior in all aspect during the opening 30 minutes of the play.
However, Karim Benzema netted a superb brace including a panenka penalty to keep the tie alive. Benzema pulled one back for Madrid on 33 minutes. After the match restarted in the second half, Phil Foden scored a header to yet again push City forward by a two goal lead.
Although Vinicius Junior pulled another one back within just two minutes. Bernardo Silva scored City’s fourth goal as Karim Benzema scored a beautiful panenka penalty to bring the scoreline to 4-3.
“What we have done with the ball and without the ball, creating chances and chances, I can’t ask anything else. I say to the players to rest. Both teams want to attack and have the quality to play. The football was a fantastic spectacle,” said Guardiola. The second leg will prove to be the decider as both teams will meet at Santiago Bernabeu on May 4.
