In a thrilling UEFA Champions League playoff first leg at the Etihad Stadium on February 11, 2025, Real Madrid secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Manchester City. The match reached its climax in stoppage time when Jude Bellingham netted a decisive goal, completing a remarkable comeback for the visitors.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions. Erling Haaland had put City ahead twice, with goals in the 19th minute and a penalty in the 80th minute. However, Real Madrid’s resilience shone through as Brahim Díaz equalized in the 86th minute, setting the stage for Bellingham’s last-gasp winner in the 92nd minute.
Bellingham’s goal was a testament to his composure and skill under pressure. Receiving a lofted pass from Vinícius Júnior, he maneuvered past the City defense and calmly slotted the ball into the net, silencing the home crowd and giving Real Madrid a crucial advantage heading into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
This victory underscores Real Madrid’s storied history of dramatic comebacks in Europe’s premier competition, leaving Manchester City with a formidable challenge in the return fixture.
