Real Madrid defeats Man City thanks to a late goal from Bellingham.

Jude Bellingham’s injury-time goal for Real Madrid ended a tight play-off first leg, and now Manchester City is battling for Champions League survival and a spot in the round of 16.

Early on at Etihad Stadium, Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol combined to put up Erling Haaland for a confident finish after 19 minutes, giving Pep Guardiola’s team a chance to regain more of their natural form.

Grealish, who had gotten off to a great start, was injured and Real took over after Haaland struck the bar just after the interval.

Kylian Mbappe scrambled home a close-range finish on the hour, but Real let City off the hook by not taking any opportunities.

After Dani Ceballos’ foul on Phil Foden after 80 minutes, Haaland gave City the lead again from the penalty spot as they continued to waste chances, including two for Bellingham.

The holders are now the clear favourites to go to the knockout round in next week’s second leg at The Bernabeu as Real Madrid responded with four minutes remaining, with former City player Brahim Diaz equalising before Bellingham eventually struck the goal, sliding in from close range.
Manchester City’s crucial Champions League night began with glimpses of their former glory returning, but it ended in heartbreaking despair as the shortcomings that have defined their dismal season once again became apparent.

City had the ideal start thanks to Grealish’s probing and Haaland’s cutting edge. After 30 minutes, the former was hurt and sent off, which was a terrible blow.

Mbappe’s speed and Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior’s cunning had already begun to give Real a threat, but Haaland’s deflected shot rebounding off the bar was the crucial moment for City. A two-goal advantage could have had a big impact.

After that, the 15-time winners began to put unrepentant pressure on City, who were exhausted and were struggling when Haaland gave them the lead again against the run of play in the closing minutes.

Important players like Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva once again appeared to be overly worn out, but Ruben Dias and John Stones have been carefully controlling their playing time.

And in that heartbreaking end, City went from believing they might lead the way to the Bernabeu to settling for a draw and then having to deal with the hurt of losing.

To advance past the play-off stage of this faltering Champions League campaign, City now faces an enormous challenge.

Even though Real Madrid isn’t playing at their best right now, they still have the skill and strategy to win in the majority of Champions League situations. They are at their most vibrant during this season.

Real Madrid was a threat all night, and Carlo Ancelotti was, at least for him, animated at times as a series of opportunities came and went.

With ten minutes remaining, these vicious fighters lunged for City’s throat after Mbappe tied the score with a rough finish, but Haaland’s penalty deflected them.

Bellingham’s goal with seconds remaining gave City the victory they deserved, despite the fact that they have been around this block more than any other team.

As long as they are in the Champions League, Ancelotti’s team will be a formidable opponent after they achieved the kind of victory that has been their hallmark.

Even if Real Madrid is down in the competition they consider their own, they are confident at the Bernabeu. Given their current situation, it is difficult to see how Manchester City will turn this around.