Jude Bellingham brought Manchester City even more misery when Real Madrid came in from behind twice, bringing him a 3-2 Champions League playoff victory in Game 1 at Etihad.
Erling Haaland placed City twice ahead with his first goal in five games against Madrid on Tuesday.
However, after Holder attacked Killian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz, Bellingham returned to England in 92 minutes to return home.
The city is currently doing monumental work for the future to move on to the final 16, when the sides meet again in the Spanish capital on February 19th.
![Soccer Football - Champions League - Knockout Phase Playoffs - First Leg - Manchester City v Real Madrid - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, UK - February 11, 2025 Real Madrid Jude Bellingham via Reuters/Jason Cairn Duff Get goal action images for](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-02-11T215806Z_1013456785_UP1EL2B1P0TXB_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-MCI-RMA-REPORT-1739311266.jpg?resize=770%2C491)
The club met in the Champions League for four consecutive seasons, with each winner from the past three years lifting the trophy.
Madrid’s decision to boycott the city’s midfielder Rodri’s throne as the winner of last year’s Ballon d’Or, if that familiarity didn’t breed enough light empt, added extra hostility.
The midfielder was rewarded for Spain’s Euro 2024 victory and his role in the fourth consecutive Premier League title.
However, the Spanish giants overlooked Vinicius’ juniors’ awards and pulled all the delegates from the October ceremony.
The giant banner before kickoff showed Rodri along with the Baron Door Trophy, along with lyrics from the city-supporting band Oasis.
Rodri’s absence since September with a season-ending knee injury has played a major role in the decline of the city this season.
![Manchester, England - February 11: Manchester City fans include a photo of Manchester City's Rodri kissing the Barondoor or trophy before the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 league knockout](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GettyImages-2198959764-1-1739307068.jpg?resize=770%2C496)
In recent years, Madrid has been glued to Etihad’s ropes and has been recognized four times in three visits.
This time, visitors could have a series of earlier times that made them more suspicious of the city’s minds.
All the touches of Vinicius were booed and home fans were pleased when he ruled out the penalty to get lost in the offside before he was wiped out by Ederson.
The city goalkeeper then made an important save from Mbappe, with Nathan Ake shaking a big shot from Ferland Mendy.
The Pep Guardiola man attacked the visitors with a sucker punch in the 19th minute thanks to a great team goal.
Jack Grelish’s dingcked cross was brought down to Haaland’s path by Josco Gvaldior.
![Soccer Football - Champions League - Knockout Phase Playoffs - First Legs - Manchester City V Real Madrid - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, UK - February 11, 2025, Manchester City's Eringhaland went on to their first goal Reuters/Filnoble You will get](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-02-11T202201Z_184319144_UP1EL2B1KKOQ3_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-MCI-RMA-REPORT-1739305408.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C460)
Real was roa as Vinicius’ efforts returned from the bar.
The city also attacked the woodworkers through Manuel Accansie, and Thibaut Court was forced into an epic save from Phil Foden.
Haaland remained a constant threat to Madrid’s injured defense.
Ancelotti was forced to name the midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Chuameni at his backline alongside the inexperienced Raul Asensio.
Haaland’s biased efforts, coming back from the crossbar in the second half, proved to be a turning point as Madrid took control again.
Bellingham headed farther, and Adason denied that pressure had been built up before Mbappe finally communicated on Hour Mark.
Mbappe’s finish was far from his pretty, but Missitt from Dani Ceballos’ cross deceived Ederson and looped over the net.
![Soccer Football - Champions League - Knockout Phase Playoffs - First Legs - Manchester City V Real Madrid - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, UK - February 11, 2025 Real Madrid's Killian Mbappe wins their first goal Reuters/Filnoble I'll do it](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-02-11T212217Z_1277539993_UP1EL2B1ND4TE_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-MCI-RMA-REPORT-1739309202.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C519)
Madrid smelled blood and went to kill him. Valverde drilled the width before scoring when Bellingham shot Edason’s foot low.
However, it was the city that scored the third goal when he was woven into the penalty area and French judge Clement Turpin pointed to the scene when Foden was defeated by Seboros.
Haaland sent the wrong way to Courtois for his 49th goal in a 48th Champions League appearance.
But full-time, Norwegians were lonely as the poor city campaigns got worse.
Diaz was only on the pitch in seconds when he attacked his old club after Edason painted Vinicius’ efforts on his path.
A while later, the Brazilian goalkeeper got caught up in Norman’s land as Vinicius ran through, and Bellingham stole for a simple finish, even if his attempts were on the way.
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