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Alex Kirkland, ESPN FC
MADRID — Vinicius Junior And Kevin De Bruyne used to score super goals from outside the box like Real Madrid drew 1-1 with City of Manchester in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
by Real Madrid Thibaut Courtois was the keeper who was busier in the first half, parrying De Bruyne’s shot and Rodri. Madrid threatened when Vinicius Junior was almost found Karim Benzema within six yards, before Vinicius gave them the lead in the 36th minute, past the keeper Ederson from far away.
After half-time, Courtois brilliantly saved De Bruyne’s shot – only when the offside flag was flagged – before De Bruyne brought City level with a shot from close range. Ederson parried Benzema’s header as Madrid took the lead, but the game ended 1-1, with a draw to be decided in the second leg on May 17 in England.
rapid response
first. The first leg lacked the fireworks of last year’s match, but both sides can feel fine with a draw
Previous years championship The semi-final clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City set the bar sky-high. It started with a thrilling first leg at the Etihad, where City won, but only, in a 4-3 win that doesn’t reflect their superiority. Then the second leg came on time at the Bernabeu, with Madrid somehow scoring three goals in stoppage time.
How can this season’s semi-final get there? Not this match. But it’s still a fascinating contest.
City were in the lead throughout the first half – 68 per cent possession, nearly twice as many touches and six shots – but Madrid were quite happy to sit back, defend deep and wait for their chance to come. For Real Madrid in the Champions League, those opportunities always come.
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Here, Vinicius gave them the lead with a deadly shot out of nowhere, set up by an all-out action. Eduardo Camavinga. Madrid had entered the game and were taking the lead at the time, a moment of similar superior quality, this time from De Bruyne, leveling the game midway through the second half.
Neither team will be too pleased with the end result and both will be back on their own to get the job done next week at the Etihad.
2. Haaland disappoints in Bernabeu debut
Real Madridmeet Erling Haaland. This is the first time Haaland has faced Madrid in a competitive game, and the crowd at the Bernabeu could be forgiven for thinking: is this all that fuss?
Haaland has only 22 touches, the least among the starting players. He had three shots, but no real danger.
Man City’s intentions were clear from the start Ederson immediately sought the long way to Haaland. But Madrid’s central defenders Antonio Rudiger — who prefers physical combat more than anyone — and quick, intelligent david alaba deal excellently with the Norwegian striker. Rudiger tries to close Haaland, while Alaba is always ready to close and get the ball early.
There was a Haaland header in the first half, easy for Courtois. And then there was a final, excellent tackle from Alaba early in the second half, just as Haaland darted into goal and was about to shoot. It summarizes his night.
3. No one can touch Vinicius Junior right now
Three days later starred in Madrid’s Copa del Rey final, vinixius Delivered on Tuesday. Increasingly, this is a player you would expect to constantly define the big games with decisive contributions at key moments.
Just look back at Vinicius over the last few Champions League seasons. Got his brace against Liverpool in Madrid’s 3-1 win in April 2021. It was his goal against Man City in the semi-final first leg last year and his decisive goal in the final in Paris. Including his two goals against Liverpool at Anfield in February this year. And now, one of the best goals of the 22-year-old’s career so far.
It was not a typical Vinicius goal. Those situations tend to come from inside the box, one-on-one with the keeper after a frantic run, or perhaps curling into the net after cutting the ball from the left. This is more central, done quickly and more on power, blasting the past Ederson before he could react.
Now Vinicius has seven goals in the Champions League this season, three of them in the knockout stages. Karim Benzema may still be Madrid’s mainstay, but Vinicius is increasingly becoming the winner of their match.
Best and worst performers
Best: Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid
A moment of his pure quality gave Madrid the lead.
Best: Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid
He is becoming more and more convincing at left-back.
Best: Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
His goal was brilliantly taken and put City level.
Worst: John Stones, Manchester City
Having difficulty against Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
Worst: Manuel Akanji, Manchester City
He had an uncomfortable night dealing with Rodrygo’s trick.
Worst: Karim Benzema, Real Madrid
Didn’t get as many balls as he wanted and couldn’t influence the game.
Highlights and remarkable moments
Vinícius Júnior usually doesn’t score from outside the box, but he put Real Madrid ahead in the 36th minute with a sensational long-range strike.
VINÍCIUS JÚNIOR STRIKES GOLAZO WITH THE FIRST PEN OF THE REAL MADRID’S PLAY! 🚀 😱 pic.twitter.com/MgGEYFjqkk
– CBS Sports Golazo ️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 9, 2023
Kevin De Bruyne witnessed Vini’s strike and decided to do it with his own strike from outside the box after the break.
In the 67th minute, De Bruyne crossed after Ilkay Gündogan’s pass and finished close to the wall, equalizing for Manchester City.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE GOLAZO. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/R7kfG01H2B
– CBS Sports Golazo ️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 9, 2023
After the game: What coaches and players say
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti: “They had more possession in the first 30 minutes but we are not worried, because we are already in a good position at the back and we are waiting for a good transition. In the second half we controlled the ball better from behind. We could have won but it feels great.”
Ancelotti in the second leg: “We have to play like we did tonight. I don’t know if that’s possible, maybe at home they’re a bit pushy, but the tactics of the game were very good, we weren’t worried. when they controlled the ball, and then in the second half it was completely different. We were able to move the ball, create chances, we were satisfied.”
Key stats (powered by ESPN Stats & Information research)
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Vinícius Júnior has been involved in goals in 10 consecutive games for Real Madrid, extending the longest streak of his career. He has also now contributed 42 goals in all competitions this season, the third most of any player from Europe’s top five leagues this season (Erling Haaland 59, Kylian Mbappé 44).
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In the first 42 minutes, Real Madrid’s only shot was from Vinícius.
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Vinícius Júnior scored Real Madrid’s fifth goal from outside the box, and his first outside LaLiga, and it was his second-longest (28 yards) of a goal for Real Madrid. Manchester City have not conceded a goal from outside the box since January against Manchester United.
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Kevin De Bruyne has scored 11 of 14 UCL goals for Man City in the knockout stages. His 11 knockout goals are the most for any Man City player in their Champions League history.
Next
RealMadrid: Los Blancos return to the LaLiga action on Saturday, May 13 when they host Getafe (watch live on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET). Then there’s the second leg in the Champions League and Real Madrid will host Man City on Wednesday, May 17 in the decisive second leg semi-final.
City of Manchester: Back in the Premier League for Man City, the team will face Everton on Sunday, May 14. Then, Man City take on Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, May 17.
