Madrid — Vinicius Jr. And Kevin De Bruyne Everyone scored great goals from outside the box real Madrid Drew 1-1 Together Manchester City Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
of real madrid Thibaut Courtois De Bruyne was the busiest goalkeeper in the first half and rodri, Madrid threatened when Vinicius Junior almost got Karim Benzema shot past the goalkeeper inside the 6-yard box, before Vinicius put him ahead in the 36th minute ederson From a distance
After halftime, Courtois saved well from De Bruyne – only for the offside flag to go up – before De Bruyne put City level with a clinical finish. Ederson saved Benzema’s header as Madrid pushed for a second, but the second leg in England on 17 May ended 1–1 with the tie.
Swift response
1. The first leg lacked the fireworks of last year’s matchup, but with a draw both sides can feel fine
last years Champions League The semi-final clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City raised the bar sky high. It began with a thrilling first leg at the Etihad, where Man City emerged victorious, but only in a 4–3 victory that did not demonstrate their superiority. This was followed by an all-timer in the second leg at the Bernabeu, with Madrid somehow scoring three goals in extra time.
How can this season’s semi-finals possibly live up to that? This was not the first phase. But it was still a fascinating contest.
City were on top in the first half — recording 68% possession, almost twice as many touches and six shots — but Madrid were more than happy to sit back, defend deep and wait for their chances. Those chances always come for Real Madrid in the Champions League.
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Here, Vinicius put them ahead with a fierce shot from nowhere, set up by all-action Eduardo Camavinga, Madrid grew into the game and were edging it until a moment of similar, excellent quality to that point, this time De Bruyne leveled the game midway through the second half.
Neither team will be too unhappy with the final result, and both will prepare themselves to finish the job next week at the Etihad.
2. Haaland disappoints on Bernabeu debut
real MadridGet erling holland, It was the first time Haaland had faced Madrid in a competitive game, and the Bernabeu crowd could be forgiven for wondering: is it all a fuss?
Haaland had just 22 sixes, the fewest of any starter. He had been hit by three shots, but was in no real danger.
Man City’s intentions were clear from kickoff when ederson Looked ready to go to Holland immediately. But the Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger — who enjoys physical combat more than anyone — and is fast, clever david alaba Coped brilliantly with the Norwegian striker. Rudiger tried to get close to Haaland while Alaba was quick to grab the ball and win.
One was a first-half Haaland header, which was straight for Courtois. And then there was an excellent, last-ditch slide tackle from Alaba early in the second half, just as Haaland was on goal and shaping up to shoot. It summed up his night.
3. Nobody Can Touch Vinicius Jr. Right Now
three days later Starred in Madrid’s Copa del Rey final victory, Vinicius Gave again on Tuesday. Increasingly, this is the kind of player you expect to consistently define big games with decisive contributions at key moments.
Look at Vinicius in the last few Champions League seasons. he had a brace against liverpool In a 3–1 win over Madrid in April 2021. His goal was against City in the first leg of the previous year’s semi-final, and his winning goal in the final in Paris. He had two goals against Liverpool at Anfield in February this year. And now it is one of the best goals of the 22-year-old’s career so far.
It was not a typical Vinicius goal. They come from inside the box, one-on-one with the keeper after a lazy run, or perhaps sneak into the net after cutting in from the left-hand side. it was more central, taken quicker, and more about power, destroying the past ederson before he has time to react.
Vinicius now has seven Champions League goals this season, three of them in the knockout stages. Karim Benzema May still be Madrid’s main man, but Vinicius is fast becoming their match-winner.
best and worst performers
Best: Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid
A moment of pure quality from him put Madrid ahead.
Best: Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid
He is becoming more and more confident at left-back.
Best: Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
His goal was brilliantly taken and put City back in the tie.
Worst: John Stones, Manchester City
Struggled against Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
Worst: Manuel Akanji, Manchester City
It was an uncomfortable night for her, having to deal with Rodrigo’s cunning.
Worst: Karim Benzema, Real Madrid
He didn’t get the ball as much as he wanted and couldn’t affect the game.
Highlights and Notable Moments
Vinicius Júnior doesn’t usually score from outside the penalty box, but he put Real Madrid ahead in the 36th minute with a sensational long-range strike.
Vinicius Junior scores a goal with Real Madrid’s first shot of the game! pic.twitter.com/MgGEYFjqkk
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 9, 2023
Kevin De Bruyne saw Vini’s strike and after the break decided to match it with one of his own from outside the box.
In the 67th minute, De Bruyne got on the end of an Ilkay Gundogan ball and chipped in, equalizing for Manchester City.
Kevin de Bruyne Golzo. pic.twitter.com/R7kfG01H2B
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 9, 2023
What did the manager and players say after the match
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti: ,They had more of the ball in the first 30 minutes, but we weren’t worried because we were in a good position at the back and we were waiting for a good change. In the second half, we were able to play the ball better from the back. We could have won, but the feeling is good.”
Ancelotti in the second leg: “We should be able to play the way we played tonight. I don’t know if it’s possible, maybe at home they’ll push a bit, but the game plan was good, when they had possession we were worried. Wasn’t.” And then in the second half the game was completely different. We were able to move the ball, create chances, we are satisfied.”
Key Stats (Provided by ESPN Stats & Information Research)
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Vinicius Junior has contributed a goal in 10 straight games for Real Madrid, the longest such streak of his career. He now has 42 goals in all competitions this season, the third most by any player in Europe’s top five leagues this season (Erling Haaland 59, Kylian Mbappe 44).
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In the first 42 minutes, Real Madrid’s only shot of the game was Vinicius’s goal.
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Vinicius scored his fifth goal for Real Madrid from outside the penalty area, and his first outside LaLiga, and it was his second longest distance (28 yards) on a goal for Real Madrid. Manchester City had not conceded a goal from outside the penalty area since January against Manchester United.
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Kevin De Bruyne has scored 11 of his 14 UCL goals for Man City in the knockout stages. His 11 knockout stage goals are the most by any Man City player in their Champions League history.
next
real Madrid: los blancos will return to La Liga action on Saturday, 13 May when they host Getafe (Watch live on ESPN+ at 3PM ET, Then, it is the return leg in the Champions League and Real Madrid will visit Man City on Wednesday, May 17, in the semi-final decider.
Manchester City: It’s back to the Premier League for City, who visit Everton on Sunday, 14 May. Then, Man City hosted Real Madrid in the return leg of the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday, 17 May.
