Mueez Ajao
– Manchester City remain on course to reach a second successive Champions League final after beating Real Madrid in a thrilling semi-final first leg.
– Kevin de Bruyne’s diving header and Gabriel Jesus’ calm finish gave City a 2-0 lead inside the opening 11 minutes.
– Karim Benzema volleyed home for Real, but Phil Foden’s header made it 3-1.
Also Read: Man City need two exceptional games – Guardiola ahead of Madrid clash
– Real’s Vinicius Jr scored an individual goal, Bernardo Silva blasted in City’s fourth before Benzema’s chipped penalty following Aymeric Laporte’s handball.
– City have never won the European Cup or Champions League and lost 1-0 to Chelsea in last season’s final, but produced a superb performance to take an advantage to Spain.
– However, manager Pep Guardiola will be annoyed they did not secure a wider winning margin after leading 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2, but Benzema’s incredible ‘Panenka’ penalty gave the Spanish league leaders hope of turning the tie around at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, 4 May.
– Liverpool face Spanish side Villarreal in this year’s other semi-final, with the first leg at Anfield on Wednesday.
– The final will be held at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, 28 May.
