Real Madrid managed to return with the least damage from the Etihad Stadium after losing 4-3 to its host Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
And Manchester City imposed a clear superiority during the first half in terms of possession, offensive pressure and scoring opportunities, and he could have finished the half with a greater number of goals in light of his continuous offensive activity and defensive lapses on the part of Real Madrid.
The situation was different in the second half, as Real Madrid made an offensive awakening and pressured the City defense intensely for periods, and Karim Benzema and Vinicius' attempts continued, but Manchester City succeeded in achieving a balance between the defensive and offensive sides and ended the match winning 4-3.
City advanced with two goals in the first 11 minutes through a header from Kevin De Bruyne and a shot by Gabriel Jesus.
De Bruyne takes advantage of Algerian Riyad Mahrez's pass and puts Manchester City in front with a beautiful header ⚽️👏 # Champions League # Real_Madrid_Manchester_City pic.twitter.com/SuWZDnOeLG
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) April 26, 2022
Karim Benzema reduced the difference for Real in the 33rd minute, then Phil Foden restored the two goals difference for the hosts in the 53rd minute.
Karim Benzema makes the difference with a smart shot 👀⚽️# Champions League # Real_Madrid_Manchester_City pic.twitter.com/rVG4WnEmiA
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) April 26, 2022
But after only two minutes, Vinicius Junior ran from the left side and quickly penetrated into the penalty area and reduced the difference again.
The Portuguese Bernardo Silva surprised Real Madrid with a wonderful shot 😮
Manchester City 4⃣ - 2⃣ Real Madrid #Champions League #Real_Madrid_Manchester_City pic.twitter.com/xsNTEWc0oM
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) April 26, 2022
Bernardo Silva fired a powerful shot to boost City's lead in the 74th minute, but Benzema scored his second personal goal from a penalty kick eight
minutes before the end of normal time.
Karim Benzema raised his score to 14 goals solo, as the top scorer in the Champions League this season, one goal ahead of
Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski, who was eliminated from the tournament in the quarter-finals.
Despite the four-way win, City could bemoan how many chances were missed over the two halves.
The date of the return match between Real Madrid and Manchester City
Real Madrid will have the opportunity to compensate for a goal difference on the occasion of the return leg, and the royal club needs one goal to achieve a draw, after canceling the goal with two goals in the playoffs of European competitions.
Real Madrid will host Manchester City next Wednesday, May 4th, at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Liverpool will play Villarreal in the other semi-final first leg match at Anfield on Wednesday.