Record champions Real Madrid and defending titlists Manchester City delivered a spectacle for the ages in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash. At the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, spectators witnessed a breathtaking exchange of goals on Tuesday evening (April 9th, 2024), culminating in a 3-3 draw.
Manchester City seized an early lead with Bernardo Silva’s direct free kick in the 2nd minute. However, Real Madrid quickly turned the tables with Eduardo Camavinga (12th minute) and Rodrygo (14th minute) finding the net within two minutes.
The second half saw Phil Foden (66th minute) and Josko Gvardiol (71st minute) staging another turnaround for Manchester City before Federico Valverde (79th minute) secured the draw for Real Madrid. The goals in the second half from Valverde, Foden, and Gvardiol were hailed as works of art.
Germany’s national team midfielder Toni Kroos, starting for Real Madrid, expressed mixed feelings about the match, admitting, “I don’t feel entirely satisfied.” For him, the evening contained too many errors despite the spectacle.
In contrast, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was ecstatic, labeling the game as “fantastic.” He emphasized the significance of the draw and praised his goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, despite conceding three goals in the frenetic match.
German defender Antonio Rüdiger and Kroos played supporting roles in the intense match. While Rüdiger showcased solid defensive work, he couldn’t prevent Manchester City from scoring sublime goals. Kroos dictated the pace initially but was substituted for Luka Modric during the chaotic phase of the game.
This marked the fourth encounter between the two clubs in the past five seasons, establishing it as a classic rivalry. The atmosphere in Madrid was electric, with English fans gathering in the Plaza Mayor since midday, adding to the anticipation before kick-off.
Manchester City’s early lead caught Real Madrid off guard, but the hosts quickly responded, benefiting from deflected shots to level the score. Despite controlling possession for much of the match, Real Madrid was repeatedly caught off guard by Manchester City’s swift counter-attacks.
In the second half, Foden and Gvardiol stunned the crowd with remarkable strikes, ultimately setting the stage for Valverde’s equalizer.
