Jude Bellingham delivered a 92nd-minute stunner as Real Madrid pulled off a sensational 3-2 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off. The thrilling encounter at the Etihad Stadium saw Los Blancos come from behind twice, earning their first win on City’s turf in 90 minutes and setting up an enticing return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.

City fans tried to rattle Madrid with taunts directed at Vinícius Júnior, but the Brazilian and his teammates had the final word in this heavyweight clash. Despite early pressure, it was Erling Haaland who opened the scoring with his first-ever goal against Madrid, courtesy of a Joško Gvardiol assist. But Vinícius nearly responded immediately, his deflected shot striking the crossbar.

Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a setback when Jack Grealish limped off injured after a bright start, allowing Phil Foden to step in and test Thibaut Courtois. Manuel Akanji’s header also clipped the crossbar, while Federico Valverde and Kylian Mbappé threatened at the other end.

Akanji struggled with physicality and was substituted at halftime, but Madrid’s momentum grew. Eduardo Camavinga deflected Haaland’s shot onto the crossbar, and Vinícius glided past City substitute Rico Lewis to deliver a cross that Jude Bellingham narrowly headed wide. Ederson twice denied Mbappé, but the Frenchman wouldn’t be silenced for long. On the hour mark, Mbappé latched onto Dani Ceballos’ dinked pass to equalise, wrongfooting Ederson despite a scrappy finish.

City quickly regained the lead through a Haaland penalty after Ceballos fouled Foden, but Real Madrid’s resilience shone through. Ederson’s save from Vinícius bounced invitingly to Brahim Díaz, who scored against his former club just two minutes after coming on. The drama continued as Vinícius broke forward again, setting up Bellingham for a decisive tap-in that completed Madrid’s remarkable comeback.

The result marks Real Madrid’s fourth consecutive UCL win and gives them a crucial advantage ahead of the second leg. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s European struggles persist, with just one win in their last six continental fixtures. Los Blancos head back to Madrid brimming with confidence, eyeing yet another historic Champions League run.