Manchester City were four minutes away from taking a one-goal lead with them into the second-leg of their Champions League play-off against Real Madrid.
But late goals from City graduate Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham stunned the Etihad and snatched the advantage for the defending champions.
Minutes before City’s latest collapse, Erling Haaland had converted from the spot to net his second goal of the match and 49th strike in 48 European Cup games.
Kylian Mbappe profited from a fortuitous spin of his shin on the hour to level proceedings but the thrilling clash appeared to be petering out to a narrow City win once Haaland had calmly slotted from 12 yards.
However, another manic few minutes at the Etihad has left City’s hopes hanging in the balance ahead of the reverse fixture next week.
Before then, Mail Sport’s AADAM PATEL cast an eye over the performers at the Etihad, revealing who impressed and who will be thankful of another chance at the Bernabeu.
Late strikes from Brahim Diaz (left) and Jude Bellingham (right) snatched victory for Real Madrid against Manchester City
Bellingham outran his England team-mate John Stones to give his side the advantage ahead of next week’s second leg
City led twice thanks to goals from Erling Haaland either side of half time but they face a tough task to remain in the Champions League
MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1):
Ederson (5)
Back in goal and made some good saves including great stops to deny Vinicius and Bellingham. Could do nothing for Mbappe’s goal but at fault for Madrid’s second and third.
Manuel Akanji (6)
Settled as the game went on but was always going to have his work cut out against Vinicius. Injured then replaced at half time by Rico Lewis.
Ruben Dias (6.5)
Used his body really well against Kylian Mbappe and was immense all evening until the latter stages
Nathan Ake (6)
Made a crucial block with the game goalless when Ferland Mendy looked all but certain to score. Though was careless in possession on a couple of occasions.
Josko Gvardiol (7)
Got to admire what he gives going forward. His chest down for Erling Haaland’s goal was immaculate and he ran through Madrid with ease.
Ederson made some good saves including great stops to deny Vinicius and Bellingham but was at fault for Madrid’s late strikes
Josko Gvardiol set up Erling Haaland’s goal immaculately and was also brilliant in defence
John Stones (7)
Started in the centre of the park and this was a sublime performance but ultimately Madrid were too good.
Savinho (6)
Tracked back well all evening though could have offered more going forward. Missed a decent chance in the first half.
Kevin De Bruyne (6)
The first half was more like the vintage De Bruyne but he looked tired and out of ideas in the second half.
Bernardo Silva (5.5)
Another one who looked burnt out as the game went on. Gave away the free-kick that led to Madrid’s equaliser.
Jack Grealish (6)
Kept his place in the side. Lovely dink into Gvardiol’s path for Man City’s goal, before he was taken off in the 30th minute due to injury.
Erling Haaland (7.5)
Only eight touches in the first half but a great finish to break his duck against Real Madrid. Brilliant penalty too for the second. Now has 49 goals in 48 Champions League games. Ridiculous.
Haaland had only eight touches in the first half but was nevertheless able to open the scoring with one of them
Phil Foden was a surprise omission from the starting XI but he came on to win the penalty for City’s second
Pep Guardiola looked crestfallen at the end of the match after witnessing his side throw away another lead
Substitutes
Phil Foden (6)
Rico Lewis (5.5)
Mateo Kovacic (5)
Ilkay Gundogan (5)
Omar Marmoush (5)
Manager
Pep Guardiola (6)
Would have been the happier manager at half-time but his side held on for their lives in the second then blew the game. Was devastated. Will be seismic if his City side somehow win next week.
REAL MADRID (4-4-2):
Thibaut Courtois (6.5)
Kept busy in the first half and made some good saves but could do nothing to keep out Erling Haaland’s left-footed strike nor his penalty.
Federico Valverde (6)
Had a decent game at right back, where he doesn’t usually play. Came close to equalising when his effort from distance went narrowly over the bar and nearly scored again
Aurelien Tchouameni (5)
Not his best night and caught out of position for City’s goal. Makeshift centre half pairing with Asencio struggled.
Federico Valverde had a decent game at right back, where he doesn’t usually play. Came close to equalising
Raul Asencio failed to cut the ball out in the lead up to Haaland’s goal. Like Tchouameni, he struggled.
Raul Asencio (5)
Failed to cut the ball out in the lead up to Haaland’s goal but made a solid block to deny Haaland a second. Like Tchouameni, struggled.
Ferland Mendy (6)
One of two Madrid changes from the weekend. Played well but missed a sitter from a few yards out when the game was goalless, after doing all the hard work.
Rodrygo (6.5)
Guardiola called him the ‘danger man’ but he was unusually quiet initially. Improved as the game went on and Mbappe should have finished when he picked him out
Eduardo Camavinga (6)
The other Madrid change from the weekend. Often a joy to watch live but this was not one of his strongest performances though he was still impressive.
Dani Ceballos (5)
Struggled to control the tempo at all and looked out of his depth for most of the game but it was his ball that set up Mbappe’s equaliser. Silly foul to give away the penalty.
Jude Bellingham (7.5)
Failed to do much of note in the first half and lucky not to get booked. Much better in the second half and the eventual match winner. Can’t keep him out. The man for the big moments.
Jude Bellingham failed to do much of note in the first half and lucky not to get booked but popped up with the big moment
Kylian Mbappe constantly offered a threat but missed chance after chance before slicing one on
Kylian Mbappe (7)
Constantly offered a threat but missed chance after chance before fortunately slicing one in. Ancelotti was fuming at him too for not tracking back.
Vinicius Junior (8)
Out with a point to prove after seeing the Rodri banner. Was superb and so unlucky not to score when Ederson tipped his dipping strike onto the crossbar. Such a good footballer and turned the game on its head.
Substitutes
Luka Modric (5.5)
Brahim Diaz (6.5)
Fran Garcia (5)
Manager
Carlo Ancelotti (7)
His side carved City open on numerous occasions and deserved to win. Madrid should fancy themselves to finish the job on home soil.
Referee
Clement Turpin (6.5)
