Crazy exchange of blows

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Real Madrid and Manchester City fought a high-caliber duel.(Bild: AP)

More spectacle is not possible! Real Madrid and Manchester City put on a veritable festival of goals on Tuesday evening. The first leg of the Champions League quarter-final in Madrid ended 3:3 after a high-caliber 90 minutes.

Real, still without the injured David Alaba, were caught out cold by City after less than two minutes. Bernardo Silva curled a free-kick past the side of the wall, goalkeeper Andriy Lunin got to the ball but was unable to prevent the goal. The Ukrainian did better when Erling Haaland had a great chance (7'), allowing the home side to turn the tide within three minutes. The visitors' backline also helped. First, Ruben Dias deflected a long-range shot from Eduardo Camavinga beyond the reach of Stefan Ortega (12'), and a little later Manuel Akanji had his foot in the game when Rodrygo cheated the ball past Ortega from close range (14').

(Bild: AP)

(Bild: AP)

(Bild: AFP)

(Bild: AP)

(Bild: AP)

Real rely on the counter-attack
Real's counter-attacks were always dangerous. Rodrygo's poorly adjusted shot after around the hour mark (33') was the Citizens' fortune, as they did not know what to do with their possession advantage and continued to work unsuccessfully for the second goal after the break.

A long-range shot had to break the spell, Phil Foden's spectacular cross-corner strike from 17 meters fulfilling all requirements (66'). Defender Gvardiol completed the second brace of the evening, also from distance (71'). But the two teams still hadn't had enough: Federico Valverde's superb shot into the far corner brought the final score (79') and an open starting position for next Wednesday's reunion in Manchester.

Real Madrid - Manchester City 3:3 (2:1)
Real: Alaba injured
Goals: Ruben Dias (12th/own goal)
Rodrygo (14th)
Valverde (79.)
and
Bernardo Silva (2nd)
Foden (66)
'Gvardiol (71)