MANCHESTER, England: Jude Bellingham scored the winning goal in injury time as Real Madrid twice came back to inflict more pain on Manchester City with a 3-2 victory in the first leg of their Champions League play-off at the Etihad Stadium early this morning.
Erling Haaland twice put City ahead with his first goals in five games against Madrid.
But the defending champions hit back through Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz before Bellingham scored the winning goal in the 92nd minute on his return to England.
“It’s a bit strange. We played some of our best games of the season and still fell behind,” said Bellingham.
“I don’t care how City perform because they are still an incredible team. It’s often difficult against them and we finally took our chances at the end of the game.”
City now face a tough task to advance to the last 16 when the two teams meet again in the Spanish capital on February 19.
“It’s a feeling of anger and frustration,” said City defender John Stones.
“We need to finish the game better. The manager said we need to be responsible for what we do in midfield. We need to bounce back when bad moments like this happen.”
The clubs met for the fourth consecutive season in the Champions League, with the winners in each of the previous three years eventually lifting the trophy.
Madrid’s decision to boycott City midfielder Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win last year is seen as adding to their animosity as the Spanish giants feel their own player Vinicius Junior is more deserving of the award.