City hit back to win Champions League thriller at Real Madrid | OneFootball

City fought back from a goal down to secure a thrilling 2-1 victory over Real Madrid and move back into the top-eight of the Champions League table.

Interviews

Pep praise for fearless O'Reilly

It was yet another dramatic night at the Santiago Bernabeu as the most played European fixture of the past decade didn’t disappoint again.

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After falling behind to Rodrygo’s 28th minute strike, City roared back with first half goals from Nico O’Reilly and an Erling Haaland penalty to hold the advantage at the break.

Both sides had chances in a breathless second half but City secured a deserved win that leaves us fourth in the league phase table and in control of our destiny as we aim to claim one of the seeded finishes and avoid the play-offs.

Men's Team

O'Reilly 'over the moon' after vital Real Madrid strike

The game in 250 words

What has become a classic fixture of the last decade in the Champions League was almost off to a lightning start with referee Clement Turpin pointing to City’s penalty spot inside 90 seconds.

But a VAR check showed Matheus Nunes’ challenge on Vinicius Junior was outside the box and Federico Valverde’s fierce strike was deflected wide.

City dominated possession but couldn’t find a route to goal and we were caught out by a fast break in the 28th minute, Rodrygo firing the home side ahead from a tight angle.

However, the home side’s lead lasted just seven minutes with O’Reilly grabbing an equaliser. When Josko Gvardiol’s towering header from a Jeremy Doku corner was saved by Thibaut Courtois, the left back was the quickest to respond to smash home the loose ball.

And we were ahead before the break when Antonio Rudiger’s pull back on Haaland was spotted by VAR with the City striker coolly slotting home from the spot.

Indeed, our advantage could have been even bigger before the break when O’Reilly raced clear to tee up Haaland but his strike was kept out by Courtois who was then up quickly to deny Rayan Cherki’s follow-up.

The pace continued after the break, Jude Bellingham lifting the ball over Gianluigi Donnarumma and the crossbar for the home side while Courtois was fortunate to see Cherki’s effort deflected into his arms from close range.

Doku forced another super save from his Belgian team-mate while Endrick hit the bar in the dying minutes.

Men's Team

Haaland hails 'important' Real Madrid victory

Teams

Real Madrid: Courtois, Valverde (C), Asencio (Endrick 79), Rudiger, Carreras, Tchouameni, Ceballos (Brahim 67), Bellingham, Rodrygo, Gonzalo (Guler 58), Vinicius

Subs not used: Lunin, Fran Gonzalez, Mbappe, Fran Garcia, Cestero, Mastantuono, Martinez, Valdepenos

City: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Bernardo (C), Foden (Reijnders 70), Cherki (Savinho 71), Doku (Ake 87), Haaland (Marmoush 70)

Subs not used: Trafford, Bettinelli, Ait-Nouri, Khusanov, Bobb, Lewis

Picture Special

Gallery: O'Reilly on target in Madrid!

STAR MAN

There were so many candidates after a brilliant win but Nico gets the nod after another outstanding performance in the heart of midfield.

The young Spaniard continues to improve in one of the hardest positions in the side and was the ticking heartbeat of the side.

Staying cool in the Champions League is tough. Staying cool in the Bernabeu is even harder. But Nico was unruffled again in another impressive game in the middle of the pitch.

Nice one Nico

It’s remarkable to remember that just 12 months ago, O’Reilly had played just nine minutes in the Champions League.

The Academy graduate has had an astonishing 2025, establishing himself as a regular in Guardiola’s side and making his debut for England to put himself in contention of a place at next summer’s World Cup finals.

Now added to that growing CV is a first goal in the Champions League and at the Santiago Bernabeu no less.

It was another fearless display from the exciting youngster as he stood up to the Real attack and showed as much threat with his courageous forward runs.

The Real deal

Guardiola knows all about going to the Santiago Bernabeu; he estimated that he had done it more than 50 times as a Barcelona player and as a manager.

Ahead of the game, the City boss said it was a good place to test ourselves and show where we are as a team.

So City fans can take plenty of encouragement from the performances of some of his young players in such a white-hot cauldron.

Doku and Cherki offered plenty of threat on the wings, Nico stayed ice cool in the centre of midfield and O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes were tireless at full-back.

An unchanged selection from the boss was rewarded with a full-blooded performance.

Pep Guardiola reaction

“It could be better. The Bernabeu is so difficult. Four, five or six players played their first time here, it’s a process and a lot of new players.

“Winning here, we have to be happy, we have 13 points already, it’s in our hands to finish in the top eight, winning here after Leverkusen is very good.

“In February we will be better. The players made an  incredible effort and the spirit is unbelievable, but still a big margin to improve.”

Nico o’REILLY reaction

“It’s such a good feeling. What an atmosphere it is and what a stadium it is, it’s so tough to come and play here. We got three points, that’s the most important thing.

“[The goal was] very special, I’m over the moon with it. This goal will be with me forever. The most important thing was the three points and that’s what we got.

“We know how good Real Madrid are. The history we’ve had, we’ve played them over the last few seasons. They’re so good. So playing here and winning shows how good we are playing at the minute and the form we’re on, so I say we have a good chance.”

What it means

City move up to fourth in the Champions League table and two wins from our last two fixtures would guarantee a place in the top-eight.

The Champions League is put on hold now until next year  when we travel to Norway to face Bodo/Glimt on 20 January with Galatasaray in our final group game at the Etihad the following week.

What’s next

It’s back to the Premier League on Sunday and another tough encounter for Guardiola’s side.

We travel to Selhurst Park to face fourth-placed Crystal Palace for a 14:00 (UK) kick-off on Sunday 14 December.

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