“I am convinced the team that goes through from this tie will go on to win the competition.”

Real Madrid claimed a 3-2 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League play-off, with Jude Bellingham scoring a stoppage-time winner. The match saw Real Madrid twice come from behind to snatch the win, leaving City facing an uphill battle ahead of the return leg in Madrid.

Erling Haaland put City ahead twice in the match, his first goals in five games against Madrid. However, a trademark Real Madrid late surge, combined with City’s inability to hold onto their lead, saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side take a crucial advantage.

The match had an intense build-up, especially with the pre-match taunting from City fans, who unfurled a massive banner mocking Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior over the Brazilian’s anger at Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or last year. The banner bore the words “Stop Crying Your Heart Out,” accompanied by an image of Rodri kissing the prestigious trophy, a moment boycotted by Real in protest at the decision.

City started strong and struck first in the 19th minute, with Jack Grealish providing a brilliant assist to Haaland, who finished with ease for his 26th goal of the season. But despite a flurry of early chances from Madrid, including a penalty shout for Vinicius and a close-range save from Ederson against Kylian Mbappe, it was City who capitalized on their early opportunities.

Real Madrid responded strongly after the break. Mbappe equalized in the 60th minute with a mis-hit volley that looped over Ederson. City’s lead lasted only 15 minutes before they were punished once again for poor decision-making and defensive lapses. Haaland’s second goal, a penalty in the 73rd minute after Foden was fouled by Dani Ceballos, restored City’s lead. But Real Madrid wasn’t finished.

In the dying moments of the match, former City player Brahim Diaz, who had only just come on, capitalized on a parried shot from Ederson and fired home to make it 2-2. Moments later, with Ederson caught out of position, Vinicius Junior dispossessed Rico Lewis and lofted the ball into the box, where Bellingham pounced to score the decisive goal in the 92nd minute, leaving City heartbroken.

Despite the late drama, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed frustration with his team’s inability to manage the game, especially in crucial moments. “We are just not stable enough,” he admitted in his post-match comments. “We made bad decisions, and that’s something we need to work on.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s Bellingham, who has been a standout performer for the club, reflected on the match: “We were playing well and creating a lot, always confident that something would drop for us. It was a strange game, but we took the chance at the end.”

The result leaves City with a monumental task ahead of them when they meet again at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 19. With their poor recent form and a growing sense of anxiety, it will take a miracle for Guardiola’s side to overcome the European champions and progress to the last 16.

Ancelotti believes that the team emerging from this tie could go on to win the Champions League. “The team that goes through from this tie will go on to win the competition,” he said.