Manchester City were four minutes away from taking a one-goal lead with them into the second-leg of their Champions League play-off against Real Madrid.
But late goals from City graduate Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham stunned the Etihad and snatched the advantage for the defending champions.
Minutes before City’s latest collapse, Erling Haaland had converted from the spot to net his second goal of the match and 49th strike in as many European Cup games.
Kylian Mbappe profited from a fortuitous spin of his shin on the hour to level proceedings but the thrilling clash appeared to be petering out to a narrow City win once Haaland had calmly slotted from 12 yards.
However, another manic few minutes at the Etihad has left City’s hopes hanging in the balance ahead of the reverse fixture next week.
Before then, Mail Sport’s AADAM PATEL cast an eye over the performers at the Etihad, revealing who impressed and who will be thankful of another chance at the Bernabeu.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1):
Ederson (5)
Back in goal and made some good saves including great stops to deny Vinicius and Bellingham. Could do nothing for Mbappe’s goal but at fault for Madrid’s second and third.
Manuel Akanji (6)
Settled as the game went on but was always going to have his work cut out against Vinicius. Injured then replaced at half time by Rico Lewis.
Ruben Dias (7)
Used his body really well against Kylian Mbappe and was immense all evening. A solid defensive display.
Nathan Ake (6.5)
Made a crucial block with the game goalless when Ferland Mendy looked all but certain to score. Though was careless in possession on a couple of occasions.
Josko Gvardiol (7.5)
Got to admire what he gives going forward. His chest down for Erling Haaland’s goal was immaculate and he ran through Madrid with ease. Defensively brilliant too.
John Stones (7)
Started in the centre of the park and this was a sublime performance that meant City hardly missed Rodri.
Savinho (6)
Tracked back well all evening though could have offered more going forward. Missed a decent chance in the first half.
Kevin de Bruyne (6)
The first half was more like the vintage De Bruyne but he looked tired in the second half.
Bernardo Silva (5.5)
Another one who looked burnt out as the game went on. Gave away the free kick that led to Real Madrid’s equaliser
Jack Grealish (6.5)
Kept his place in the side. Lovely dink into Gvardiol’s path for Man City’s goal, before he was taken off in the 30th minute due to injury.
Erling Haaland (7)
Only eight touches in the first half but a great finish to break his duck against Real Madrid. Now has 48 goals in 48 Champions League games. Ridiculous.
Substitutes
Phil Foden (6.5)
On for Grealish in the first half. Forced Courtois to make a good save.
Rico Lewis (6)
Came on for Akanji at half-time.
Mateo Kovacic (5)
Replaced Nathan Ake on the hour mark.
REAL MADRID (4-4-2):
Thibaut Courtois (6.5)
Kept busy in the first half and made some good saves but could do nothing to keep out Erling Haaland’s left-footed strike.
Federico Valverde (6.5)
Had a decent game at right back, where he doesn’t usually play. Came close to equalising when his effort from distance went narrowly over the bar and nearly got the winner
Aurelien Tchouameni (5.5)
Not his best night and caught out of position for City’s goal. Makeshift centre half pairing with Asencio struggled.
Raul Asencio (5.5)
Failed to cut the ball out in the lead up to Haaland’s goal but made a solid block to deny Haaland a second. Like Tchouameni, struggled.
Ferland Mendy (6)
One of two Madrid changes from the weekend. Played well but missed a sitter from a few yards out when the game was goalless, after doing all the hard work.
Rodrygo (6.5)
Guardiola called him the ‘danger man’ but he was unusually quiet initially. Improved as the game went on and Mbappe should have finished when he picked him out
Eduardo Camavinga (6)
The other Madrid change from the weekend. Often a joy to watch live but this was not one of his better performances.
Dani Ceballos (5.5)
Struggled to control the tempo at looked out of his depth for most of the game but it was his ball that set up Mbappe’s equaliser.
Jude Bellingham (6)
Failed to do much of note in the first half and was lucky not to get booked. Much better in the second half and missed a good chance when he headed wide.
Kylian Mbappe (6.5)
Constantly offered a threat but missed chance after chance before slicing one on. Ancelotti was fuming at him too for not tracking back.
Vinicius Junior (7)
Out with a point to prove after seeing the Rodri banner. Was superb and so unlucky not to score when Ederson tipped his dipping strike onto the crossbar.
