# Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid: Instant classic at Etihad as tie still alive

URL: https://technosports.co.in/manchester-city-4-3-real-madrid-inst/  
Published: 2022-04-27  
Updated: 2022-04-27  
Author: Arsh Das

Manchester City have the advantage in their Champions League semi-final tie against [Real Madrid,](https://technosports.co.in/2022/04/26/real-madrid-point-away-35th-la-liga/) with a 4-3 win in the first leg. The Etihad Stadium was the site of an instant classic, as Pep Guardiola got the better of his old rivals by a one goal margin. 

The Catalonian could not have asked for a better start, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring a diving header within the first 90 seconds of the game. Only ten minutes into the game, Gabriel Jesus doubled Manchester City’s lead with the incredible first touch and a composed finish inside the box to continue his great run of form. 

Karim Benzema pulled one back for his side close to the half-hour mark with an impressive finish as the two sides went into the tunnel at 2-1. 

## Manchester City get the better of Real Madrid in the first leg encounter 

> 2’ Manchester City 1-0 Real Madrid  
> 11’ Manchester City 2-0 Real Madrid  
> 33’ Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid  
> 53’ Manchester City 3-1 Real Madrid  
> 55’ Manchester City 3-2 Real Madrid  
> 74’ Manchester City 4-2 Real Madrid  
> 81’ Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid  
>   
> WHAT A GAME!!! [pic.twitter.com/GBpYatiOtt](https://t.co/GBpYatiOtt)
>
> — GoncaloDias17 (@goncalo_diass17) [April 26, 2022](https://twitter.com/goncalo_diass17/status/1519054812087730177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Phil Foden and Vinicius Jr scored within two minutes of each other, early into the second half to add to the drama. The Brazilian went on a sensational solo run, leaving his compatriot Fernandinho for dead in the process as he scored his 18th of the season. 

But, Bernardo Silva put his side back ahead with a well-taken goal after the referee played advantage. Karim Benzema scored his 40th goal of the season with a panenka penalty following a handball, to make it 4-3.  

> ▪️ 13 goals in 10 UCL games this season.  
> ▪️ 40 goals in 41 games with Real Madrid.  
>   
> Karim Benzema. ⭐️🇫🇷 [#UCL](https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/qMHqSkkWHN](https://t.co/qMHqSkkWHN)
>
> — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) [April 26, 2022](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1519038047819599872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Guardiola will be fuming about the missed opportunities early in the game when Real Madrid were not defending very well. The [tie is still very much alive](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1519057537899069440?s=20&t=GoklAhKHizQRy1_vVyBYbQ), and Real Madrid could progress to the finals if they can pull off yet another comeback at their home stadium.