Manchester City vs Real Madrid LIVE: Champions League latest score and updates from huge play-off clash
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Manchester City host Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie this evening as two of Europe’s biggest clubs collide.
Manchester City managed to sneak in to the play-offs with a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the final match of the league phase after a difficult continental campaign. Though attempts were made to strengthen the team in the January window, Pep Guardiola’s side are still struggling domestically by their lofty standards and their manager will fear a premature exit from this competition if they fail to improve.
They take on Real Madrid in Europe for the fourth season in a row, with the Spanish side having twice knocked out the English club either side of a 4-0 thrashing by the hosts at the Etihad Stadium in 2023. Carlo Ancelotti’s men top La Liga despite some recent struggles of their own, with a dynamic forward line perhaps not quite yet delivering the cohesion and consistency they will need to go deep in Europe.
Follow all of the latest from the Etihad Stadium in our live blog below:
GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 Real Madrid (Erling Haaland, 19 minutes)
Delightful! Immaculately constructed, decisively finished!
That really is a lovely Manchester City goal. Erling Haaland makes a good run to latch on to Josko Gvardiol’s pass, knocking back to Jack Grealish. Gvardiol produces a superb surge on the underlap, collecting Grealish’s clever clip. A chest down to expert marksman allows Haaland to pick his spot in the far corner.
But is it offside? Ooh, that’s tight on the replay as Gvardiol chests down with Haaland up alongside him…
It’s a long, long delay, reflecting a tricky decision. Was the Norwegian beyond the ball? Should it matter in such circumstances? Still we wait.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2025 20:19
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 17 minutes
A brief lull in the tempo after a lively opening as Manchester City settle again into shape. Josko Gvardiol is tucking in and up to join John Stones at times, with Manuel Akanji also trying to create a midfield overload.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2025 20:18
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 13 minutes
A sniff for Manchester City now, Kevin De Bruyne’s corner kick looping off a couple of heads in the direction of Savinho. Alas, the Brazilian makes a hash of his half-volley, ballooning it up over the bar and into the car park.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2025 20:16
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 13 minutes
Manchester City are all over the place. Kevin De Bruyne is dispossessed in the centre circle and only the combined efforts of Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji prevent Vinicius Jr rampaging free again. Worrying signs for Pep Guardiola.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2025 20:14
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 12 minutes
A vital block from Nathan Ake! Real Madrid part the Manchester City lines again and Vinicius Jr and Ferland Mendy each offer the other the sighting of goal. Mendy is the man to eventually release the shot with Ederson beaten by the passing exchange, but Ake is back to block.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2025 20:13
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 11 minutes
The visitors are starting to purr. A delicate opening of the legs from Vinicius Jr sends him spinning into space and his pass is sharp, too, freeing Kylian Mbappe. Ederson gets down smartly to save.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2025 20:12
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 9 minutes
A point to the penalty spot…but the flag is up!
Real Madrid think they’ve got a spot kick when Vinicius Jr is chopped down by Ederson, but the Brazilian was a couple of yards off when embarking towards the through pass. Manchester City are leaving a bit of room in behind, though…
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2025 20:10
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 8 minutes
Mbappe has a problem with his boot, too, though that doesn’t stop him from very nearly burning by Ruben Dias after a forward hoist. Ederson is out sharply to clear.
Off Mbappe trots to get the faulty footwear sorted. A fresh pair of magenta daps are sourced.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2025 20:09
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 7 minutes
Manchester City do appear to have plenty of defensive stability about them. Kylian Mbappe comes away limping a little from a strong challenge from one of the two home centre-halves.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2025 20:08
Manchester City 0-0 Real Madrid, 5 minutes
Pep Guardiola barks some instructions to his side, the Manchester City manager clad in coat and scarf to ward off the evening chill. John Stones is settling into that midfield controlling role, perhaps affording a bit of extra protection against international colleague Jude Bellingham.
Harry Latham-Coyle11 February 2025 20:06
