Bellingham completes a spectacular comeback as Real Madrid defeats Manchester City.

Real Madrid came twice behind to defeat Manchester City 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off match, thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Jude Bellingham.

After Kylian Mbappe tied the score with a mishit volley on the hour, Erling Haaland had a late penalty spot attempt to win the match at the Etihad Stadium with his second of the evening, regaining the lead. But in the last seconds, City fell apart.

Before Bellingham got the last say, grabbing the ball with the custodian beaten after Vinicius Junior had robbed Rico Lewis and lofted the ball over Ederson, Brahim Diaz scored with a first-time shot on the rebound against his old team. cruel.

Madrid will believe they produced enough to win it, but Pep Guardiola's team had a difficult time with the outcome, and they have a lot of work ahead of them when they play the European champions at the Bernabeu for a spot in the round of 16.

How everything went wrong for City
The game was exciting. Early on, Madrid increased the pressure. Ederson took Vinicius down in the area, but the offside flag denied him. Vinicius was booed the entire time and was met with a poster depicting Rodri kissing the Ballon d'Or. Nathan Ake came up with a huge block.

Enter Haaland after that. Jack Grealish made a stunning pass that was almost his last act before he was hurt. He located Josko Gvardiol, who gave Haaland a nod so he could finish. The goal stood despite the lengthy wait for VAR. City's self-assurance returned.

Before the interval, Vinicius and Manuel Akanji both had a chance to score, and Haaland himself did so right away. The question of whether City could hold up in a heavyweight match was always going to be present.

It was regrettable that Mbappe's equaliser, a total mishit, sent the ball into the net with Ederson off balance. However, City's fast reflexes and Haaland's composure allowed them to reply once more. The fact that they wasted the lead the second time will sting.

Despite Madrid's incredible perseverance, both goals felt self-inflicted because City gave up possession rather than holding it until the very end. Ederson had the opportunity to parry away from goal even at that point. Lewis had to be more powerful. Ultimately, City will feel that they failed.

There are ninety minutes left. That feels like too much time for this club, not too little, even though Guardiola's team is still prone to those slumps and times when they can give up goals quickly. Madrid is in charge. The city's dreams are in jeopardy.

"It is not full-time," said Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, said during the press conference:

It isn't a full-time job. Today was tight, they have chances, but we took the game and played extremely nice with the ball. We have conceded goals in numerous games this season, which is why it is challenging.

"We discuss that. However, how? We must acknowledge that mistakes are made in some areas, which makes management challenging. It has occurred numerous times. It's not about certain players; there are numerous scenarios that we must read but are unable to complete.

"Players take decisions in the moment and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It's happened many, many times. So reflect, think, maybe in the future it won't happen. It is what it is. Today was tight, I'm quite honest with myself, in the last minute we arrive with a good result but we couldn't keep it."

Jude Bellingham, a midfielder for Real Madrid, to Amazon Prime:

We ultimately took a chance.

"That one was peculiar. Despite playing some of our finest football of the year, we lost.

"I believe we were producing a lot and playing well. Throughout the entire game, we had complete faith that something would drop for us.

"City is still a terrific squad, regardless of their current form. Playing against them is always challenging, and in the end, we took the chance.

"Taking the lead at home is always beneficial, and I have no doubt that the Bernabeu will support us.

"These knockout games tend to have ups and downs. It involves more than just game management; it also involves strategy and psychology.