Manchester City 2-3 Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham strikes late as Real nick UEFA Champions League play-off first-leg win

Jude Bellingham struck a stoppage-time winner as Real Madrid came from behind to triumph 3-2 at Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s Citizens took the lead through Erling Haaland’s clinical first-half strike and then regained the advantage from the penalty spot when the Norwegian doubled his tally 10 minutes from time.

Real had levelled following the interval through Kylian Mbappe’s miscued volley, but looked like they would be rueing missing a plethora of chances until the home team’s nasty habit of letting a lead slip reared its head once again.

Former City starlet, Brahim Diaz came off the bench to fire in a rebound to level four minutes from time, before Bellingham tapped in Vinicius Jr’s lob over Ederson to snatch victory right at the death.

Next up, Man City host Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday prior to heading to Spain for the second leg of this play-off on Wednesday, February 19.

Real travel to Osasuna on Saturday before looking to finish the job on home turf and secure a spot in the Last 16.

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and much more live on TNT Sports and discovery+

"It was a weird one, I think we played some of our best football of the season and then we found ourselves behind in the game," Bellingham told Amazon Prime at the Etihad Stadium.

"I don’t care what form City are in. They are still an unbelievable team, the way they move you and manipulate you. It’s always tricky to play against them and in the end we took one of the many chances we created, that’s what made it count."  

On his winning goal: "I just kept running at the off chance that Vini may put it (the lob) wide. That’s very rare, but I was there to just put it away. I thought we deserved the win, so it was credit to the team."

He added: "It's a really good position now (heading into the second leg), it's always good to take a lead back home and now we need another big performance."

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and much more live on TNT Sports and discovery+

TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League, as well as exclusive Premier League games across the 2024-25 season.

The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

Speaking on Amazon Prime, the former Manchester United and England striker didn't pull any punches when assessing Man City's capitulation from 2-1 up with four minutes to go, to losing the first leg on home turf.

"There was a lot of naivety from Manchester City late on in the game. But even early on, you could see Madrid were going to get chances in the game.

"We’ve seen a strong belief and confidence from Manchester City players over the years, that whatever game they are in, they are going to go on and win it, but tonight they were looking around at each other, almost with a lack of belief in each other - and I think that’s a worry for Guardiola."

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and much more live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Carlo Ancelotti was lamenting his lack of first-choice defensive options, but it was almost his ‘Fab Four’ in attack that didn’t make the most of their openings in this first leg in Manchester.

Instead, it was Erling Haaland who was ice-cold in front of goal as his clinical double looked to have given Pep Guardiola’s men a slim 2-1 advantage to take to Madrid.

However, the lapses and inability to see out leads cost The Citizens again here as late efforts from Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham mean the Premier League champions have an uphill task in the Spanish capital next Wednesday.

Real Madrid usually find a way in this competition and the 15-time winners will be confident they can see through this play-off tie on home turf and make sure they are in the draw for the Last 16 come February 21.

Man City 2-3 Real Madrid.

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and much more live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Vinicius Jr burst free down the left and lobs the advancing Ederson, allowing Bellingham to follow-in andtuck into an empty net.

Mbappe off.

Fran Garcia on.

Three minutes added.

Real Madrid will feel they deserve at the very least a 2-2 draw given the plethora of chances they have created.

City have been more clinical but the opportunities they have coughed up will be a concern heading to Madrid.

The Real substitute makes an instant impact as he tucks away Ederson's weak parry from Vinicius Jr's low shot from the right side of the area.

Brahim Diaz on for Rodrygo.

Gundogan and Marmoush on.

Savinho and KDB off.

Modric on for Ceballos.

The Norwegian doubles his tally from the spot, sending Courtois the wrong way to restore the home side's lead.

The City man looks set to carry on.

The Man City physios are checking over the playmaker after he landed heavily on his right knee.

Foden top toes into the penalty area and is tripped by Ceballos.