Soccer is fair and has rewarded Real Madrid with the victory (2-3) at the Etihad against Manchester City. Real Madrid scored three goals, but it could have been ten.
Everything was uphill for Real Madrid. Haaland's initial goal, Haaland's 2-1 penalty. But this was the European Real Madrid, another Real Madrid.
Ancelotti's team has overcome adversities and has neutralized and surpassed Manchester City's advantage by turning the score around.
Mbappé and Asencio, Outstanding
Special mention for Mbappé, hungry for glory, pressing, stealing balls, and creating panic. His goal, the 1-1, an impossible goal with a fluke shape, but it counts the same. Mbappé has understood the privilege of playing with this team in Europe.
Another mention, and in capital letters, for Asencio. He had to dance with the toughest opponent, Haaland, and came out unscathed, although the Norwegian took advantage of his mistake in the first goal. Everything else, perfect, he did everything well.
He is not the new Sergio Ramos. He can be much better than the Sevillian. The kid has brought calm to a defense that was never overwhelmed by City.
The European Real Madrid Appears
Real Madrid has had opportunities of all kinds. Mbappé, Bellingham, Valverde, Vinícius... The whites didn't have the reward they deserved.
In fact, a quarter of an hour before the end, the 2-1 was on the scoreboard, and the future looked bleak. But the European Real Madrid of great occasions appeared. Brahim and Bellingham have turned the result around: minute 86 and minute 91.
Just reward for a Real Madrid that could have scored eight or ten goals easily.
Although it's advisable not to be overconfident, the return match will be a very different game, and City can never be trusted.
Tomás Roncero: "Madrid Is a Headache for Rivals"
Tomás Roncero celebrated the Madrid victory in style: "It was a punch on the table. Madrid in Europe is a headache for rivals..."
He lamented City's 2-1 because, in his opinion, "the foul was outside the area." He also saw "offside" in Haaland's first goal. He concludes that "this is Madrid in Europe."
Tomás Roncero experienced the match in the Cadena Ser's Carrusel and celebrated Bellingham's third goal as if it were another title.
Technical Sheet
Manchester City, 2 - Real Madrid, 3
Manchester City: Ederson, Akanji (Lewis 46’), Dias, Ake (Kovacic 61’), Gvardiol, Stones, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Savinho, Grealish (Foden 29’) and Haaland
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Tchouaméni, Mendy; Camavinga, Ceballos (Modric 80’), Bellingham; Rodrygo (Brahim 85’), Vinícius and Mbappé (Fran García)
Goals: 1-0 Haaland (18’), 1-1 Mbappé (60’), 2-1 Haaland (79’), 2-2 Brahim (86’), 2-3 Bellingham (91’)
Referee: Clement Turpin
Stadium: Etihad.