In a spectacular match, Manchester City defeated Real Madrid 4-3 in the Champions League semifinals

Manchester City beat Real Madrid 4-3 in England in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. Pep Guardiola's team was superior on the field but failed to make the difference on the scoreboard and the Spanish team left the field with a smile on their faces despite the defeat. Next Wednesday they will face each other at the Bernabéu for the rematch.

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Manchester City vs Real Madrid Highlights

The game opened up before the two-minute mark, in an action as simple as it was effective. Riyad Mahrez ran from right to left, with the Spanish defense on the line, and crossed for Kevin De Bruyne's diagonal run from the other end. The Belgian threw himself to head the ball past his marker, Dani Carvajal, to make it 1-0.

Then, in the 11th minute, the Brazilian Gabriel Jesus appeared, after a pass from Kevin De Bruyne that David Alaba was unable to deny and the City striker took advantage to beat Thibaut, who, despite stretching, was unable to save the shot.

The outlook for Real Madrid looked complicated as Guardiola's team continued to attack with insistence, however, they missed their chances. First Mahrez on a counter-attack and then Phoden with a cross-shot that went very close to the goal.

And when the advantage is not increased against Real Madrid, it can be risky because history goes with the Spanish team, which has 13 champions league titles to its name. Ancelotti's team responded with French striker Karim Benzema to make it 2-1.

After the goal, Guardiola changed John Stones for Fernandinho to avoid any surprises from Los Merengues. After the change, City regained possession but were unable to score.

Second Half

After seven minutes, Guardiola could celebrate again when Fernandinho, who had come on after Stones' injury, recovered a ball on the right flank, got to the byline, and sent in a cross that found Foden completely free. The English young player headed into the penalty area and easily made it 3-1.

However, Manchester City's joy was short-lived. In the next move, Vinicius Jr. passed Fernandinho and escaped down the left from the middle of the pitch and into the box. The Brazilian was one-on-one with his compatriot Ederson and made no mistake. 2-3 in just 10 minutes of the second half.

Just when the Spanish team was better closed at the back and for the first time had managed to join their lines without suffering despite not having the ball, City's fourth came. Zinchenko got to the edge of the box and as his path was closing, he faked his way past Toni Kroos. The German brought him down, but Bernardo Silva continued the action by quickly recovering the ball, getting into the box, leaving Carvajal, who had a poor performance, in the way, and scoring with a left-footed shot at the near post to make it 4-2.

But Real Madrid scored again. A cross into the area accidentally hit Laporte's outstretched arm and the referee did not hesitate to award a penalty. Benzema took the spot-kick against Ederson to make it 3-4 and give Real Madrid life once again.

The result seems to have suited Real Madrid better despite the defeat because although they were outplayed on the pitch, Ancelotti's men know that by winning by the minimum at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday next week, they will force the match into extra time. For their part, City will travel to Spain with the mission of at least a draw to reach another Champions League final.

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