UCL: Real Madrid Suffer 2-1 Defeat to Manchester City at Bernabeu

Manchester City come from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1

Manchester City rallied to beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Nico O'Reilly's goal and Erling Haaland's penalty helped Manchester City secure a win over Real Madrid.

Vinicius Junior missed two great chances to equalize for Real Madrid, first heading a free header wide from six yards out...

Key stats

• Manchester City have beaten Real Madrid for the first time in the UEFA Champions League since May 17th, 2023, a run of four games without a win.

• This was only the second time in Real Madrid's history that they have scored first but gone in behind at half-time of a European Cup/Champions League game, after March 1991 versus Spartak Moscow.

• Real Madrid have lost after scoring the opening goal in the UEFA Champions League for the first time since February 26th, 2020 against Manchester City (37 games without defeat).

Manchester City came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, handing Xabi Alonso's side another defeat. The match lived up to expectations, with a dramatic opening five minutes that saw Vinicius Junior go down under a challenge from Matheus Nunes. However, VAR overturned the original penalty decision, ruling the foul was outside the box.

City capitalized on the reprieve, and eventually took the lead through a Rodri goal. Real Madrid initially led through a Jude Bellingham goal, but City fought back to secure their second win at the Bernabéu.

Real Madrid Federico Valverde's free-kick deflected just wide, and Vinicius Junior's dinked effort sailed over the bar as Madrid sought to capitalize on City's slow start. However, the visitors grew into the game and were punished for their lack of early attempts, conceding a goal before the half-hour mark.

City's pressure eventually paid off, as they equalized and took the lead, securing a crucial win at the Bernabéu.

A swift Real counter led to Rodrygo ending his 32-game goal drought with a precise finish. However, City responded with their first meaningful chance, as Josko Gvardiol's header from Rayan Cherki's corner fell to Nico O’Reilly, who prodded home the equalizer.

The game was on a knife's edge, with both teams pushing for the winning goal.

The game took a dramatic turn when Antonio Rudiger's reckless challenge brought Erling Haaland down in the box. The foul was initially missed by the referee, but a quick pitchside review confirmed the penalty, and Haaland calmly converted from the spot.

Man City win at the Bernabéu 🩵#UCL pic.twitter.com/WjiScz6r03

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 10, 2025

After the restart, Jude Bellingham had a glorious chance to equalize, but his dinked effort sailed over the crossbar. Xabi Alonso turned to his bench for a response, but his substitutions didn't quite have the desired impact, as City held on to secure a crucial win.

Madrid's struggles continued, handing City a valuable victory at the Bernabéu.

Vinicius Junior missed two great chances to equalize for Real Madrid, first heading a free header wide from six yards out, and then volleying over at the far post when left unmarked by Manchester City's defense. Xabi Alonso's last attempt to change the game involved Endrick, who had a header crash back off the crossbar, narrowly missing the target.

Manchester City held on to secure a crucial 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, despite intense pressure from the hosts in the closing stages. The victory marks a significant step towards securing automatic qualification to the Champions League last 16.

The match ended amidst a chorus of whistles and jeers from the Madrid crowd, with Xabi Alonso's position under scrutiny following Real Madrid's second consecutive home defeat.