Real Madrid vs Manchester City. UEFA Champions League Group D.
Santiago BernabeuAttendance67,000.
Tuesday 28 July 2020 15:34, UK
Cristiano Ronaldo was the hero as Real Madrid turned around a deficit late on to break Manchester City hearts in a 3-2 win at the Bernabeu.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the hero as Real Madrid turned around a deficit late on to break Manchester City hearts in a 3-2 win at the Bernabeu.
Aleksandr Kolarov's free-kick inside the last five minutes of normal time looked to have won this Group D opener in the UEFA Champions League for Roberto Mancini's men.
But substitute Karim Benzema replied moments later and Ronaldo was there to put smiles on Madrid faces - if not his own - when Joe Hart somehow failed to keep out his dipping effort.
All five goals came in a dramatic second half after Jose Mourinho's side had dominated before the break.
But it was City who took the lead when Yaya Toure put Edin Dzeko through on goal and he slotted the ball past Iker Casillas.
Real became increasingly urgent in their attacking play and did find an equaliser through the unlikely source of Marcelo's right foot when his shot took a deflection off Javi Garcia and past Hart.
If that was supposed to bring the Real onslaught there was a twist in the script when Kolarov's right-wing free-kick took a slight deflection off Xabi Alonso into the far corner.
The City fans in the Bernabeu were in delirious mood but the harsh realities of life in the Champions League ensured that their potentially famous win became a devastating defeat just minutes later.
Mancini had made a bold decision to hand a debut to new signing Matija Nastasic and leave Joleon Lescott on the bench, while fit-again striker Sergio Aguero was also among the substitutes.
David Silva and Gareth Barry also returned to the starting line-up, with Carlos Tevez playing alone up front.
Real went into the game in disappointing form after winning just one of their opening four Primera Liga matches.
Mourinho, under heavy scrutiny, promised not to make major changes but those he did make sent out a clear message.
It was not a surprise that playmaker Mesut Ozil failed to make the starting line-up after some criticism but the absence of defensive lynchpin Sergio Ramos was unexpected.
Raphael Varane came in at the back and looked composed, while Michael Essien's introduction in midfield ahead of another playmaker in Luka Modric added solidity.
There seemed little wrong with the side Mourinho fielded as they dominated possession throughout, but found goalkeeper Hart in inspired form.
Ronaldo twice tested Hart in the opening minutes, first after being released by Essien.
The Portuguese, booed loudly by City's vocal fans, cut inside Vincent Kompany but Hart was equal to his low effort.
Ronaldo then beat Maicon on the left to extend Hart again but City survived.
Alvaro Arbeloa then did well to beat Gael Clichy but Hart saved low down.
Angel di Maria lofted a cross in for Higuain but failed to make firm contact as Hart stood tall. The ball rebounded for Ronaldo to attempt a spectacular effort but it was deflected and Sami Khedira fired over.
City had an opportunity after a good break by Toure but Samir Nasri's effort was blocked.
It proved Nasri's last meaningful involvement as he limped off moments later to be replaced by Kolarov.
City went close again before half-time, Toure again instrumental in their break but Silva was unable to get away a clean shot.
Real finished the first half strongly with Higuain volleying over and Di Maria bending a low shot wide.
The second half began in much the same manner with Marcelo flashing a shot wide and then firing over.
The Spaniards appeared to be completely monopolising possession but City broke away to open the scoring against the run of play in the 68th minute.
Toure was again the driving force and his ball for the newly-introduced Dzeko was perfect. The Bosnian took the pass in his stride and finished with great composure.
The lead could not last. Madrid produced a strong response and this time Marcelo got lucky as he cut inside and fired a shot past Hart, with the possible aid of a deflection off Garcia.
The game then became a dramatic end-to-end affair and Hart produced another superb save to deny Higuain.
City were not content to sit back for a point and looked like they might snatch it when a Kolarov free-kick from the right crept through the box, taking a slight touch off Alonso, to hit the net with four minutes remaining.
However, Real sensed the urgency and powered forward in a pulsating finish.
Benzema, who replaced Higuain with 17 minutes remaining, turned brilliantly on the edge of the area and levelled with an equally composed finish. It was the least the hosts deserved - but Hart did not deserve to be beaten.
The England goalkeeper again showed his brilliance in the dying moments to save from Ronaldo - but the Bernabeu hero could not be kept out long and he fired in a low shot in injury-time.
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