Real Madrid 3 : 2 Man City - Champions League Review

Ronaldo winner spoils City fans dinner

Two geniuses - Ronaldo celebrates scoring the winner just as his manager Mourinho does in the background

Written by Aodhan Kinsella

It isn't often a game can be so thrilling to watch from the first minute to the last. There has been many times a match has been spoken about with a huge build up which leads to the game usually lacking the excitement football fans anticipated. This was not that game. 

This evening Real Madrid took on Manchester City at the Bernabeu in the first game of Group D in the Uefa Champions League. Do either side need introducing? Both winning the league last year created a marvelous scene for tonight's game. Although both sides haven't been in good form as of late, with City drawing their last game to Stoke City, as Sevilla stunned Real with a victory over Jose's side. Despite the lack of form from either side, the iconic game tonight really did prove why football is the greatest sport on Earth. 

In a tight first half, Real Madrid looked on top as they created great chances to start the scoring off. The first chance came from Ronaldo as he cut in side from the left channel and shot to bring a great save from the inspiring Joe Hart. It wasn't long after that Ronaldo was again trespassing into the box from the left flank to whip a ball that met the head of Higuan but again Hart was there to keep his side on level terms. As Real Madrid persisted on pressuring City in possession and looked to keep the game rolling, Man City aimed to keep the ball patiently until there was any options available to spread the ball to further up the field. Having no clean cut chances on goal at the break, the biggest threat Mancini had to offer to Madrid was through the colossal Yaya Toure. The Ivorian midfielder showed why he is so important to Manchester City. The man is a machine, he is unplayable running at defenders. Evidently as he teared for with the ball in the first half to leave Real Madrid men short on City's attack. The powerhouse then done the same again in the 70th minute to counter attack for City, putting in Dzeko 1 on 1 with Casillas , who slotted home the opening goal of the match. 

Deadlock broken - Eden Dzeko celebrates the opener against Real

The goal came as a shock to Real Madrid who had been dominating the majority of the match before the slip up. It didn't take like for the Spanish giants to bounce back though through a deflected shot from Marcelo from the edge of the box. The game began to open up much more than earlier, with Madrid pushing for the winner but Man City being effective when getting the rare chances to go forward. A harsh decision was given by the referee against Benzema who had bumped with Zabaleta off the ball. The free-kick was in a perfect position for Kolarov to cross into the box which when doing so, went past everyone into the corner or the goal deceiving Casillas who was predicting a touch off a player. The goal stunned Madrid and spectators, it looked to be a famous result for Mancini's men at the Bernabeu. But in a staggering retaliation, Karim Benzema found the ball at his feet with his back to goal, instinctively turning immediately and passing the ball into the bottom right hand corner away from Joe Hart's grasp, an incredible finish from the Frenchman. 

Is this Real? - Benzema equalizes immediately 

With virtually minutes left, the worst possible outcome for Manchester City was awaiting, The man who has been all over the media for the past weeks with rumours of unhappiness and wanting to leave Madrid, the former Manchester United favorite, Cristiano Ronaldo was looking to to finish City off. Receiving the ball on the left flank again, running at the right back Zabaleta again, cutting onto his right foot again, City granted Ronaldo the chance complete their misery. Ronaldo shoots with power leaving Kompany in two minds of whether to head it or duck, which in turn left Joe Hart with little chance of predicting what was going to happen. Of course the former Red Devil watched his shot hit the back of the net as the Bernabeu erupted for the best Winger they have ever seen. 

Forget the suit - Mourinho celebrates the dramatic end to the match

Credit has to be given for Manchester City for almost defeating the famous white jerseys of Real Madrid but the game was always controlled by Mourinho's men. Just as City nicked that late victory last May vs QPR, Madrid supplied the medicine for City to taste. Real Madrid will look to continue this team morale in matches to come in the League BBVA. As for Mancini's men, it will be a long flight home from Spain before their big weekend game against Arsenal on Sunday.