Kevin De Bruyne’s second-half star show led Manchester City to a 2-1 comeback win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in Wednesday’s first leg of a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.
Isco had put the hosts ahead in the 60th minute off a Vinicius Junior assist, but De Bruyne set up Gabriel Jesus for a 78th-minute header before converting a Raheem Sterling-won penalty five minutes later.
[ MORE: Pep, KDB, Jesus react to win ]
Sergio Ramos was sent off in the 87th minute for a pullback on Jesus and will miss the second leg, while Aymeric Laporte was injured for City.
The second leg is March 17 at the Etihad Stadium.
[ MORE: Premier League schedule ]
Pep Guardiola’s tactical approach clearly surprised Zinedine Zidane, with Jesus in a left midfield/wing back role and De Bruyne up top.
Aymeric Laporte’s injury in the 33rd minute certainly hampered City’s thoughts of a big win.M
3 - Real Madrid have had just three shots against Man City, their fewest in the first half of a home Champions League match since November 2013 vs Galatasaray (also 3). Restricted. #RMAMCI
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 26, 2020
Bernardo Silva ripped a left-footed effort in the opening minute as City came out of the gates well.
The next real chance came from Gabriel Jesus, slipped in by a Kevin De Bruyne through ball but denied by Thibaut Courtois.
Ederson denied Karim Benzema point blank in the 30th minute, and Rodrigo fumbled the rebound in what should’ve been an easy 1-0 to the hosts.
Real used a goal line clearance to deny Jesus off a corner kick, as Courtois slapped Kevin De Bruyne’s set piece to the Brazilian at the back post.
Fede Valverde saw a yellow for taking down Ilkay Gundogan in the 48th minute.
A Casemiro mistake sent De Bruyne on a long dribble, the Belgian finding Riyad Mahrez for a shot that swirled high and wide of the goal.
Real found a breakthrough against the run of play in the 60th minute, Isco slotting under Ederson off a Vinicius Junior pass between Kyle Walker and Fernandinho.
It was terribly sloppy from Nicolas Otamendi and Rodri in a turnover with poor response.
¡Gooooooool goooooool del Real Madrid! 🔥
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) February 26, 2020
Apareció Isco para abrir el marcador y ya lo gana el Madrid 👏@realmadrid 1-0 @ManCity #UCL I #HalaMadrid I #ManCity
🔴Disfruta en vivo: https://t.co/5fINiKCrhY pic.twitter.com/L6WnsHqRgo
But De Bruyne darted into the box and turned a delightful chipped cross to Jesus, who outleapt a stumbling Sergio Ramosto turn a header past Courtois.
Then Dani Carvajal chopped down substitute Raheem Sterling to put De Bruyne on the spot. The Belgian had a salve for City’s recent penalty issues.
¡Gooooooool goooooool del Manchester City! 🔥
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) February 26, 2020
Con tremendo remate de cabeza, Gabriel Jesus se elevó por los aires de Madrid para empatar el partido 💪 @realmadrid 1-1 @ManCity #UCL I #HalaMadrid I #ManCity
🔴Disfruta en vivo: https://t.co/5fINiKCrhY pic.twitter.com/nvCwAxvgte