There are evenings when history seems written in advance, and others where it is woven in the last moments, like what Real Madrid can do better than anyone. At the Etihad Stadium, the Madrid recalled why they are the masters of the Champions League, overthrowing Manchester City (3-2) in a scenario that escapes all rational logic, but not that of football.
Haaland strikes, real vacillating but does not give in
Real had however taken the match by the right end, imposing its pace from the first minutes. Mbappé, in a scout, rose to Ederson in the 11th minute, before Ferland Mendy spoils a gold opportunity in the 12th. Missed opportunities that the Madrid would quickly regret.
Because in the 25th minute, against the course of the game, Manchester City found the opening. An inspiration from Grealish, a perfect discount of Gvardiol, and Haaland, in his clinical style, punished courteous. The story seemed written: City took the advantage, Real was exposed. But this real never dies easily.
Erling Haaland's two goals were not enough for City's happiness.
A clumsy but tenacious real
Before the break, the opportunities to pick up the scoring did not lack: Vinicius saw his strike hit the bar (25th), Valverde pulled above (42nd), and Mbappé, symbol of a first frustrating period, sent a balloon Above the transverse just before half-time. But Madrid history is that of the obstinacy.
The awakening came at the time of play. A light opening of Ceballos in the back of the defense allowed Mbappé to catch up: its volley, certainly imperfect, found the way of the net (60th). A goal that revived everything, but in this European dance, the last word rarely belongs to the one who believes he has already pronounced it.
City believes to fold the match, Real tears it away
Manchester City, pragmatic, thought it had done the hardest. In the 90th minute, a questionable penalty obtained by Foden and transformed by Haaland seemed to seal the fate of the meeting. The Norwegian, in search of redemption after more discreet weeks, offered what resembled the goal of victory.
But Real Madrid, in its DNA, refuses evidence. Brahim Diaz, just entered, had already equalized for the first time in the 86th, taking advantage of a rejected shot from Vinicius. And while Etihad still rummed the victory that had just escaped him, a final stroke of theater was sweeping everything away. In the 96th minute, a loss of ball from Kovacic launched Vinicius in a rush that he only knows how to lead. His lob on Ederson failed slightly, but Bellingham, in fox, arose to offer Real an unexpected but so familiar victory.
Real, eternal survivor
This success, beyond the score, illustrates a simple truth: Real Madrid is never beaten as long as the final whistle has not sounded. Manchester City, dominating at times, will have to digest this disillusionment before going to the Bernabéu, where the challenge will be immense. Real is advancing, faithful to its history, that of a club which knows that time always plays for it.
