- De Bruyne scores the opening goal in the second minute, Jesus doubles a header in the 22nd before Benzema pulls one back for Madrid.
- Real Madrid are 13 times European champion.
- Manchester City have never been beaten by Real Madrid at home.
- The two teams have played in the Champions League six times (two wins each, two draws).
- Real takes part in a Champions League semi-final for the 15th time, a record.
- City in their second consecutive Champions League semi-final.
Table of Contents
45 minutes
It was an electric first half.
Just as Man City looked set to dominate, in-form Benzema brought Madrid back into the game.
Pep’s plan to start with Stones in defense has clearly backfired.
It looks like we’re set for a thrilling second half.
De Bruyne’s debut game was the first Man City had scored in a Champions League game.
Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid
93 – At 93 seconds, Kevin De Bruyne’s opening goal was the first Manchester City had ever scored since the start of a Champions League game. Flash. pic.twitter.com/F7oUczHUiW
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2022
45 minutes
Half time: It was Man City against Benzema.
Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid
44 minutes
Benzema’s form this season means he will surely have to be in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or.
Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid
40 – Karim Benzema is the first player to score more than 40 goals in a single season for Real Madrid since Cristiano Ronaldo left them in 2018, Ronaldo being the last to do so for the club in 2017-18 (44). Unleashed. pic.twitter.com/LypKVx7epd
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2022
40 minutes
Even though they are up front, City can’t afford to sleep at the back as Benzema is fit.
The Frenchman now has 40 goals in all competitions this season.
Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid
💪 VAMOS 💪 pic.twitter.com/Sdz7rJug2N
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) April 26, 2022
36 minutes
Substitution
Man City make an early switch.
Fernandinho is for the Stones.
Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid
32 minutes
GOAL! Benzema!
Mendy produces a good cross and Benzema produces a deadly finish to pull one off for Madrid.
Ederson didn’t stand a chance.
Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid
30 mins
Zinchenko enters midfield and shoots from distance. His shot goes just wide.
Manchester City 2-0 Real Madrid
25 minutes
Ederson’s passing was poor
City are on top but passing goalkeeper Ederson has been a little poor as he makes his third bad pass of the night.
Manchester City 2-0 Real Madrid
21 minutes
jesus is on fire
He now has five goals in two games and is proving to be Mr. Reliable for Man City
Manchester City 2-0 Real Madrid
Chelsea ✅
Liverpool ✅
PSG ✅
Real Madrid ✅@gabrieljesus9 love the big occasion! 💙🔵 2-0 ⚪️ | #ManCity pic.twitter.com/gBtRTjymMY
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 26, 2022
18 minutes
Madrid have their first chance. Vincius Jr gets a corner.
The area was a disaster.
Manchester City 2-0 Real Madrid
15 minutes
It’s City firmly at the top.
Foden is causing problems for the Madrid defence.
Manchester City 2-0 Real Madrid
10 minutes
Gabriel Jesus makes two
Foden produces a good run before choosing support specialist De Bruyne.
Helped by Alaba’s poor defence, Jesus plays skillfully to double City’s lead.
Manchester City 2-0 Real Madrid
6 minutes
Ederson nearly gave Madrid a goal with a bad pass.
Luckily for him, Rodri was aware and averted the danger.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid
5 minutes: 90 seconds
That’s all it took for City to take the lead.
Madrid now have work to do. They try to press higher.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid
2 mins: GOAL
De Bruyne gives City the lead
Mahrez does a good job of establishing the goal.
Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid
Dream start for Manchester City!
📸 De Bruyne nods to hosts ahead ⚽#UCL pic.twitter.com/anQGj4xYaq
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 26, 2022
🕒 1: We are leaving
The city begins the procedure.
Which team will make the final?
Kick-off is approaching
Both teams are in the tunnel.
We are almost starting
Both teams have almost completed their pre-match preparations.
Excitement is building around the world!
Are you ready?
Creation of momentum 📈#ManCity pic.twitter.com/aYJQNHEKYQ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 26, 2022
The city is in good shape
City’s passing accuracy in the Champions League this season is almost 91% and they are averaging 2.4 goals per game.
Madrid are a Champions League giant
Madrid are 13 times European champion.
This is their 10th semi-final appearance in 12 seasons and their record 15th semi-final appearance.
This has the makings of a true classic
Historical statistics suggest that this tie could go either way.
Both teams also enter the draw on the back of good form.
7 – This will be the seventh meeting between Manchester City and Real Madrid in European competition, each in the Champions League; after failing to win the first four (D2 L2), the Citizens won both legs in the round of 16 against Real in this competition in 2019-20. Revenge match.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 26, 2022
Grealish misses Man City again
Jack Grealish continues to be overlooked for Champions League games!
Some Man City fans are clearly not happy.
Criminal to leave Jack Grealish on the bench. I am furious.
— Shaurya Vasishth (@The_Real_SV) April 26, 2022
Benzema checks in
Today will mark Benzema’s 600th appearance for Real Madrid!
Can he break Man City’s heart in his own backyard?
6️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ games for Real Madrid.
Karim Benzema is a club legend. 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/i6POd3v6QL
— Tweet Football ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) April 26, 2022
Can City end their Champions League drought?
City have never won the Champions League.
The Champions League has eluded Guardiola since 2011.
Eyes on the prize 👁#ManCity pic.twitter.com/mH3rolqW41
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 26, 2022
Mind games!
It seems Pep was playing mind games all along! John Stones starts as a right-back for Man City!
Feel like Pep is playing mind games and we’ll see John Stones start RB. I wouldn’t say it happened to him tbh
— ⁹ (@JesusRoIe) April 26, 2022
Compositions:
City of Man: Ederson, Stones, Dias (C), Laporte, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Mahrez, Foden, Jesus
TEAM NEWS 📋💙
XI | Ederson, Stones, Dias (C), Laporte, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Mahrez, Foden, Jesus
SUBSCRIPTIONS | Steffen, Carson, Ake, Sterling, Gundogan, Grealish, Fernandinho, Egan-Riley, Mbete, Palmer, McAtee, Lavia#ManCity pic.twitter.com/9mNWYwXigB
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 26, 2022
real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Kroos, Benzema, Modric, Valverde, Vini Jr, Rodrygo, Mendy
📋✅ Our departure 🆚 @ManCity! #UCL pic.twitter.com/RL3F5C7lDx
— Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 26, 2022
Is Jesus the man from City tonight?
Gabriel Jesus scored four in his last game. How many can he score tonight?
A goal from Gabby against Real! 🤙 #ManCity | #UCL pic.twitter.com/l6CGlPw6OG
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 26, 2022
Preview: Glittering history gives Real an edge
Real Madrid’s stellar Champions League history gives them an advantage against Manchester City in the first leg of the semi-finals, according to Spanish team manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Meanwhile, manager Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City couldn’t match Real Madrid’s European pedigree but said they could write their own chapter.
Read our match preview here.
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