Gabriel Jesus and De Bruyne strikes complete Manchester City 1-2 comeback over Real Madrid as Guardio’s men hold vital advantage in Champions League round 16
Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne struck two late goals after Isco’s opener to hand Manchester City a vital advantage over Real Madrid in Champions League round sixteen.
Real Madrid began their Champions League knockout stage without Eden Hazard after the Belgian sustained injury setback in Madrid defeat to Levante in the Spanish Laliga.
The journey wasn’t smoother and sweeter for Madrid Madrid when Manchester City stretched the LaLiga side in the Champions League 1/16 first leg at Santiago Bernabéu, before City later came from a goal down to steal the away victory.
Real Madrid hopes of winning the Champions League was stymied by Ajax in this same stage when they were emphatically beaten 4-1 in a second leg tie at Bernarbeu.
And now the Los Blancos face similar fate after failing to hold on to lead given to them by a nice finish from Isco in the second half before they travel to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg.
With Pep Guardio’s side holding Madrid to a goalless draw in the first half, Madrid needed much improved performance to take the lead.
Isco got the business underway for Real Madrid, smashing the ball beautifully into the bottom left corner on the 60’ minute after receiving a slide pass from Vinícius Júnior.
Madrid’s lead was cancelled out by Gabriel Jesus 18’ minute later before Kevin De Bruyne converted a penalty when it was seven minutes to time to complete Manchester City come back over Real Madrid.
Sergio Ramos cynically fouled Gabriel Jesus inside the box that saw the Madrid defender sent off in a straight red card on 86′ minute before De Bruyne sent Thibaut Courtois the wrong way for City’s match winner.
Manchester City now hold a firm advantage from the first leg when the two sides walk into the second leg three weeks later at the Etihad Stadium.
