Manchester City moved up to fourth in the Champions League standings on Wednesday after earning a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, overturning an early deficit to claim a crucial away win.
Rodrygo had given Madrid the lead in the 28th minute, finishing off a fast break, but City responded with composure and efficiency. Nico O’Reilly equalised seven minutes later by reacting quickest to a rebound after Thibaut Courtois saved Josko Gvardiol’s header. Erling Haaland then put City ahead before the interval, converting a VAR-awarded penalty following Antonio Rüdiger’s foul inside the box.
Madrid pushed for a response in the second half through Jude Bellingham and substitute Endrick, while City threatened on the break, but neither side found another breakthrough as the visitors protected their lead to the final whistle.
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Pep Guardiola praised his largely youthful squad for handling the pressure of the Bernabéu.
“The Bernabéu is so difficult,” he said. “Four, five or six players played their first time here… Winning here, we have to be happy. The players made an incredible effort.”
O’Reilly, whose equaliser shifted momentum back to City, called the moment unforgettable.
“It’s such a good feeling,” he said. “This goal will be with me forever. The most important thing was the three points.”
The defeat adds to the pressure on Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, with expectations already high following reports he needed a positive result to steady the club’s direction.