Manchester City are fighting for Champions League survival and a place in the last 16 after Jude Bellingham’s injury-time winner settled a tense play-off first leg in Real Madrid’s favour.
Pep Guardiola’s side rediscovered more of their true form early on at Etihad Stadium as Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol combined to set up Erling Haaland for a confident finish after 19 minutes.
Grealish, who had made a fine start, then went off injured and after Haaland hit the bar shortly after the break, Real took control.
Real let City off the hook by failing to take their chances until Kylian Mbappe scrambled home a close-range finish on the hour.
They continued to squander opportunities, including two for Bellingham, and were punished when Haaland put City back in front from the spot after 80 minutes following Dani Ceballos’ foul on Phil Foden.
Real, however, hit back with four minutes left, former City man Brahim Diaz equalisingbefore Bellingham finally hit the target, sliding in from close range to leave the holders as firm favourites to reach the knockout stage in next week’s second leg at The Bernabeu.
