UEFA-Champions-League-Semi-Final:-Real-Madrid-and-Manchester-City-Battle-to-a-Nail-Biting-Draw

In the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final, Manchester City and Real Madrid battled to a stalemate with both teams scoring a goal each. Making a visit to a cathedral of European football, Manchester City started the game on the front foot and grew in confidence with Kevin De Bruyne forcing Thibaut Courtois into action. On the other hand, Real Madrid was offering little in an attacking sense, but proved their UCL magic once again with a stunning goal from Vinícius Júnior, denying Karim Benzema his 30th goal of the season.

At halftime, City's Pep Guardiola urged his team to continue with their attacking play, which led to De Bruyne scoring an equalizer from the edge of the area. This set up a mouthwatering last 20 minutes, with Madrid coming close to edging Los Blancos back ahead. However, City held firm, knowing they have won their last seven UCL home games, and will return to a sold-out Etihad a week on Wednesday, with Guardiola likely happy to exit his native Spain with the tie still firmly in the balance. The result sets up a thrilling showdown at the Etihad next week, with both teams eager to take a first-leg advantage.

Credits: Flashscore

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