Match Report: Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester City (Champions League semi-final first-leg) | OneFootball

Manchester City battled back to earn an entertaining draw with Real Madrid in the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.

The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium was rocking on Tuesday night ahead of arguably the season’s biggest match so far.

A cagey start was expected in the clash and that is exactly what the crowd experienced with some early City possession but no clear-cut chances.

Thibaut Courtois in the Madrid goal was called into action for the first time on the night due to a powerful hit from his compatriot Kevin De Bruyne.

It was then Rodri’s turn to test the Belgian goalkeeper with a long range, low driven strike that was pushed out for a corner by Courtois.

Ruben Dias ensured the home side’s first chance was not a goal as he heroically intercepted Vinícius Júnior’s cross which was bound for Karim Benzema who would have had a simple tap-in.

A head injury to City captain Ilkay Gundogan caused a lengthy delay to proceedings before the German was finally deemed fit enough to continue.

Real took the lead through their first shot on target as Vinícius Júnior fired a powerful drive past his fellow countryman Ederson.

Dani Carvajal committed multiple counts of what some could even deem as GBH on Jack Grealish, but somehow escaped any form of booking from the referee.

The yellow card did come out though for Toni Kroos, as he cynically took out Gundogan before the sides went into the break separated by just the one goal.

Madrid started the second half the better of the two teams with John Stones admirably preventing Benzema from adding to the lead with a last ditch tackle.

Los Blancos had a succession of corners as the pressure mounted on the Premier League champions who continued to weather the storm. But then came Kevin.

The Belgian maestro fired in a thunderous strike from outside the box to level the scores and leave Courtois with no choice but to watch the ball whistle past him.

Benzema almost restored the Spanish side’s advantage from close range following Kroos’ free-kick but Ederson came up big to deny the Frenchman.

Ederson proved the hero again as he denied Aurélien Tchouaméni from long range, providing a strong hand to push the impressive effort over the bar.

The Premier League champions closed out the draw to take back a decent result back to the Etihad Stadium next week.

City are next in action with an away trip to Everton on Sunday with the aim of extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Following the domestic clash, Guardiola’s side will welcome Real to the Etihad Stadium next Wednesday for the second leg of the European tie.