The last two European champions have not disappointed this season, even though they may not be at their peak at the moment.
Real Madrid and Manchester City played a spectacular first leg of the Champions League play-offs, and after many chances, crossbars and five goals, the current ruler of the continent celebrated at the "Itihad" 3:2.
Carlo Ancelotti's men achieved victory with goals in the 86th and 92nd minutes, but hardly anyone would say that it was not fully deserved.
Pep Guardiola's team, in a season in which everything is falling apart, may have played one of the better matches, but it could hardly have been enough for the class of Real Madrid.
From the first minute, Real Madrid rushed towards the City goal, at times Vinicius Junior (who was particularly inspired by the flag with Rodrigo's image) and his teammates tried to walk into the goal, all of which were punished by Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian scored after a great move by Grealish and Guardiola, but also after VAR "measured" for several minutes whether he was offside or not.
Real equalized in the second half when, after a great ball from Dani Ceballos, Kylian Mbappe scored an attractive, but unlucky, goal.
The "royal club" had plenty of chances after that, but was penalized again, and Haaland again - this time in the 80th minute from a penalty that Phil Foden won. It was Haaland's 49th goal in 48 matches in the Champions League.
And when it seemed that City would somehow manage to achieve a big victory before the second leg, Real's furious finish followed - first in the 86th minute, Braim Diaz, a guy who never got a real chance at the "Ittihad", scored, and then Jude Bellingham in the 92nd.
Borussia Dortmund took an even bigger step towards the round of 3, defeating Sporting Lisbon 0-XNUMX with goals from Sergio Girassi, Pascal Gross and Karim Adeyemi.
Juventus also celebrated, but Thiago Mota's team will face a tough rematch in Eindhoven - the Bianconeri defeated PSV 2-1 thanks to Weston McKennie (a bomb) and Samuel Mbangula. The only goal for the "Philipps" team, and also their hope before the second match, was a masterpiece by Ivan Perišić.
Champions League, play-offs
Juventus - PSV 2:1
Mekeni 34. Mbangula 82 - Perisic 56.
Manchester City - Real M. 2:3
Haland 19, 80. pen - Mbape 60, Braim Dijas 86, Belingem 92.
Sporting L - Borussia D. 0:3
Girasi 60, Gros 66, Adejemi 82.
Brest - PSG 0:3
Vitinja pen. 21, Dembele 45, 66.
GOOOOOL, Real Madrid once again showed why they are the royal club. Jude Bellingham shocked "Ittihad" in the 92nd minute and defeated Manchester City (3:2).
GOOOL, spectacle in Manchester, Real tied again 2:2City were punished by Braim Dias, a guy who never got a real chance at the Ittihad.
GOOOL, the Dortmund great finishes his job in Lisbon, Adeyemi scored: Sporting - Borussia 0:3.
GOOOL, Juventus also leads, the scorer is Samuel Mbangula.
GOOOL, Haaland made no mistake from the penalty spotCity lead Real Madrid 2-1 again.
Penalty for CityReal was a more dangerous and better opponent, but it paid off for City to try to score in the last few minutes through recognizable possession.
Foden eluded Ceballos, and the Real midfielder scored a penalty.
GOOOL, Borussia is on a great path to conquer LisbonThe Dortmund team leads 2:0 against Sporting, this time Girassi made a great cross, and his knee hit Pasco Gross.
Another big chance for Real, this time Valverde's shot ended up just wide of the post.
GOOOL, the European champion finally strikes back.Real equalized at the "Itihad", Kylian Mbappe answered Haaland (1:0).
The French master scored an attractive, but also a bit lucky, shot after a great assist from Ceballos.
GOOOL, finally vice-champion of EuropeBorussia Dortmund lead against Sporting in Lisbon, the scorer is Serhu Girasi.
Borussia also started playing, Adeyemi had a good chance, but it remained 0:0 against Sporting.
GOOOL, PSV repliedGood old Ivan Perišić "threw out" Kele and shook the Juventus net - it's 1:1 in Turin.
The second halves have started and immediately hit the crossbar, again at the Ittihad - this time the goal frame stopped Haaland.
The first halves of the three matches that started at 21 p.m. have ended.
In a great duel between Manchester City and Real Madrid, the home team leads after a goal from Erling Haaland (1:0). The European champion missed many chances, but the English champion also threatened to increase the lead.
After 45 minutes, Juventus are leading against PSV Eindhoven (1:0) after a great goal by Weston McKennie, while the nets are still closed in the Sporting - Borussia match.
Real threatens again - a dangerous shot by Valverde ended just over the bar, and after that Mbappe could have done better.
Real Madrid opened the match better, but after Haaland's goal, the game was only in Madrid's half. City could have increased the lead, but Akanji's shot was stopped by the crossbar.
GOOOL, and what a goal!Weston McKennie tore the net in Turin, Juventus lead against PSV Eindhoven (1:0) after his bomb from the edge of the penalty area.
Haaland has scored 48 goals in 48 Champions League games, his first against Real Madrid.
Another dangerous attempt by Vinicius, but this time the crossbar saved City.
Bonus video:
