Man City Edge Benzema's Real In Seven-Goal Thriller
27 April, 2022
Manchester City hold a slight advantage in their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie after defeating Real Madrid in a seven-goal thriller at the Etihad.
UEFA Champions League
Result: Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid
Date: 26 April 2022
Venue: Etihad
Gabriel Jesus kept his spot in the side after netting four goals over the weekend, while John Stones filled in at right back in place of the injured Kyle Walker.
The Citizens got off to the perfect start when Kevin de Bruyne lost his marker at the far post and nodded home an in-perfect cross from Mahrez after two minutes. The lead was doubled nine minutes later as De Bruyne turned provider to pick out Jesus, who turned his marker before slotting into the far corner. After Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez squandered big chances at the midway point on the counter, Los Blancos had a big chance to pull one back on 30 minutes when David Alaba's glancing header sailed inches wide of Ederson's upright.
Carlo Ancelotti's charges got their reward three minutes later when Karim Benzema turned home Ferland Mendy's cross with a neat first-time volley for his 13th goal of the competition.
The game showed no signs of slowing down in the second half as Foden should have extended City's lead minutes after the restart after his seeing his close-range strike deflected onto the woodwork.
Foden was not to be denied six minutes later as the England international made a late run into the box and headed past Courtois from Fernandinho's well-time cross.
Real managed to bag a second goal on 54 minutes when Vinicius skipped past Fernandinho in on the halfway line to race clear on goal and slot past Ederson.
The pendulum swung once again as Bernardo Silva took advantage of Real's player taking their eye off the ball by rifling the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards.
There was another twist in the game with 10 minutes left after City were awarded a penalty for Aymeric Laporte, which allowed Benzema to complete his brace on the night.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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