Real Madrid vs Manchester City live updates (2024)

• 2’: Clever Bernardo Silva free-kick opened the scoring
• 12’: Eduardo Camavinga strike deflected in off Ruben Dias to level score
• 14’: And Rodrygo poked Real Madrid in front in a rapid turnaround
• 65’: Sublime Phil Foden strike from range got City back on level terms
• 70’: Josko Gvardiol then gave City 3-2 lead with long-range wonder strike
• 78’: But Real replied with a wonder goal of their own from Federico Valverde
• Return leg to be played in Manchester next Wednesday April 17.

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Normally, if a Champions League away knockout game featuring Manchester City is a cracker, then something has gone wrong for them.

That is especially the case in the first leg because Guardiola is very happy to go away from home, shut up shop (but with the ball rather than without it) and wait to force the issue in the second leg, especially if it is at the Etihad.

So there was no chance that he set out for this to happen tonight but, given there seemed to be no alternative, full credit to City for rolling with it and showing plenty of their strengths even on a night when their weaknesses were on display more than normal.

They were more open on transitions (more so in the first half), they were weak in some duels, and they gave away a lot of loose balls (mostly in the first hour) and yet they still had periods in which they imposed themselves and, even beyond all of that, they kept rolling with the punches — something they have not always done on these stages — and sent back plenty of their own.

What a cracker.

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Things had gone so well for Madrid. They had succeeded in shutting down City’s usual possession game so much that there was a real shock about the second quick turnaround of the night.

Madrid had Haaland under control through Rudiger and Tchouameni, but that eventually ended up leaving space elsewhere, which City were able to take advantage of.

First, Foden was able to swivel and fire into the top corner from the edge of the area. The touch was excellent and the shot was superbly struck, but the Englishman should not have been so free. The closest Madrid player was Rudiger, coming diving out to block from where he had been marking Haaland much closer to the goal.

Then, Gvardiol was able to take Jack Grealish’s pass and even take a heavier-than-ideal touch before he fired towards the net from another quite big piece of space 25 yards out.

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There has been a lot of focus on Erling Haaland’s link-up play recently and while Roy Keane’s “League Two player” assessment was over the top, it is true that he has struggled of late.

It probably should not be a surprise that he struggled again here against Antonio Rudiger given that is what happened in the same fixture a year ago, amid one of the most impressive individual seasons anybody has ever had. So if it could happen then, it can happen now. But it remains the case that Haaland is something of an enigma in the hold-up stakes.

His youth coaches talk about how he was a much smaller boy in his youth and had to get the edge over defenders by honing his movement. His physique kicked in later on and that is why he is more of a poacher, despite his huge frame.

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Ahead of this quarter-final clash, a lot of build-up analysis was focused on the attacking threat of Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham.

Much like a lot of his Real Madrid career, Rodrygo was discussed less but the Brazilian continues to be underestimated. His role in maintaining Madrid’s width on the left flank was an interesting tactical tweak from Ancelotti, rotating with Vinicius Jr, who typically operates in that lung-busting role along the touchline.

The Brazilian pair were frequently interchanging throughout, with Rodrygo’s penetrative runs causing problems for Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias as Madrid’s counter-attacking threat rarely relented.

It took Rodrygo just 14 minutes before getting his name on the scoresheet, putting Madrid ahead after Vinicius Jr’s delicious threaded ball saw the 23-year-old burst into the box and finish coolly — albeit with the help of a deflection.

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Neither coach would have wanted quite such a manic opening to the game given Guardiola especially prizes control and patience on such big occasions.

At first, it seemed advantage City when Bernardo Silva seized on a triple mistake by Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin (a bad wall, poor positioning and a weak hand) with a direct free kick to make it 1-0 to the visitors. At 108 seconds, it was the second-earliest goal Madrid have ever conceded in the Champions League at the Bernabeu.

But Madrid tend to thrive in such chaos. Their first sustained spell of possession in the game opened up space for Eduardo Camavinga to let fly from 25 yards. The Frenchman’s shot flicked off Ruben Dias and wrong-footed City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

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A game like that is a complex one to analyse for any manager, but Ancelotti did an excellent job.

"It was a good match, very good, from our side," he said. "It was competitive and evenly matched until we had energy and put pressure on City. We pressed well in the opposition half, stealing a lot of balls, with transitions.

"We had the chance to go 3-1 up, then they scored two great goals and we had the desire and commitment to get back into the game. Now we're at a slight disadvantage because we're playing away in the second leg, but we're confident that we can repeat the game we played here."

What a night of Champions League action.

Six goals in Madrid. Four goals in London. And we'll be back to do it all again next Wednesday for the second legs.

But, before that, we are back tomorrow.

• Atletico Madrid vs Dortmund
• PSG vs Barcelona – Covered live on The Athletic

Vinicius Jr's dribbling and goalscoring are rightly praised, but his ability to pick a pass and set up teammates is also tremendous.

Something almost Benzema-like about his performance tonight.

And now only De Bruyne and Mbappe (20 each) have given more assists than his 19 in the Champions League since 2018-19.

If you missed it, there was another brilliant quarter-final first leg at the Emirates between Arsenal and Bayern Munich tonight.

Saka opened the scoring for Arsenal early in the first half before two familiar foes struck to turn the tide.

First, former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry scored to level the tie before Harry Kane scored from the penalty spot to make it 2-1.

Mikel Arteta's side will head to the Allianz Arena with a clean slate after Leandro Trossard finished off a brilliant attacking move.

You can relive the action as it happened in north London here.

It was Foden's superb goal that kickstarted City's second-half comeback and he agreed with Guardiola in describing a draw as a positive result.

"I think with the possession that we had they grew a little bit more tired," he said. "I was able to find the pockets (in the second-half). We grew into the game. We had a couple of chances and I’m just really happy I was able to make the most of mine.

"I felt a sweet connection. It’s a shot I practice in training. I’m thankful it went into the top corner.

"We’re a little disappointed with the draw after going 3-2 up. We didn’t keep the ball from the goal kick and they went and scored. But we can’t dwell on it.

"A draw is a good result. There are a lot of things we can improve on before the second leg."

There were worrying moments for fans of Man City and England in the final few minutes as Foden limped out of the game. But he doesn't seem unduly worried by the injury that forced him off.

"I got a bit of a bad dead leg," he told TNT Sports. "But (I've got) a bit time now to recover so hopefully I can."

Real Madrid made a concerted effort to drum up a special atmosphere for tonight's game and Guardiola has started to do the same for next Wednesday's second leg.

"We will have our people (next time)," he said. "It will be sold out. We will need all of them, to bring their energy to beat the kings of this competition.

"Our people will be there.”

The main aim for Guardiola and Manchester City players was to return to the Etihad for the second leg without a first-leg defeat and that is what they have done.

"In the second-half we really showed our personality in terms of how we play," the City boss told TNT Sports. "Coming back from 2-1 in Manchester would have been difficult. Instead we scored two fantastic goals but defending fifteen minutes in this stadium is an eternity. 3-3, we will take it.

"I told (the players) to be more calm and to attack outside. Now I say: ‘guys it’s 45 minutes after 90 minutes’. There is a lot of football to be played.

"We are lucky that Gvardiol is with us today. He was amazing in how he played. He’s a lovely guy and we are so happy to have him."

There were plenty of good chances squandered by both teams throughout that match, but the goals that went in the net were largely brilliant.

The expected goals (xG) read like this:

Real Madrid 0.70 - 0.88 Manchester City

That means, on average, less than two goals should have been scored based on the quality of the chances.

Instead, we were treated to six goals!

And the 22-year-old Croatian was asked about his first goal in City colours.

"I’m very happy for my first goal for Man City," he said. "Especially against a great opponent. My first touch was a little bit not that good, but then I thought I would shoot to see what happened.

"We have a game on Saturday to focus on first before we think about the next one (against Real Madrid)."

Gvardiol could hardly have dreamed for a better place to score his first goal for Manchester City and his smile stretched from ear to ear after the match.

"What a game. The first time for me to play here at this stadium. It was an amazing atmosphere and we take this result and we look forward to the game at home," he told TNT Sports.

"Last season I faced them with Leipzig but this was a bit different. It was a different team. We knew it would be difficult but we showed quality.

"I would say it was (unlucky) but this is football. We needed to be focused and to come back which is what we did.

"And in the end, a good result."

Sometimes it gets boring to see the same teams drawn against each other every year in the same competitions.

But not in this case!

Before tonight, only three times in Champions League history had both teams scored three or more goals in the first leg of a two-legged knockout stage tie.

The last time that happened?

Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid in 2021-22!

In last season's semi-final, Manchester City followed up a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu with a 4-0 win at the Etihad in the second leg. And that is something that has not been lost on Valverde.

"We have to remember what happened last year," he told Movistar TV. "If we go there with the same (lack of) attitude and motivation, we will not go through.

"So we have to use it for revenge, for energy, to go through."

Manchester City goalscorer Phil Foden has been named as UEFA’s official Player of the Match.

UEFA’s Technical Observer Panel said in their post-match report: “He showed a great partnership with Bernardo Silva, displaying pristine technical ability and hard work. Foden came up with a key moment when he found the top corner of the Real Madrid net. He was influential, hard-working and put in a stylish performance.”