Manchester City delivered a brilliant comeback at the Santiago Bernabéu, overturning an early setback to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in a gripping UEFA Champions League (UCL) matchday six encounter. The win marked only City’s second-ever victory in Madrid and pushed Los Blancos deeper into a crisis that has Kenyan fans buzzing across social platforms.
Fast Start from Madrid but No Early Reward
Real Madrid came out firing and immediately put the visitors under pressure. Vinícius Júnior went down in the box within minutes, but VAR correctly overturned the initial penalty call, ruling the foul took place outside the area. The resulting free-kick from Federico Valverde curled just inches wide—a sign of Madrid’s early dominance.
City struggled to settle, failing to register even a single attempt for the opening half-hour. Madrid sensed blood, and their relentless pressure paid off. A blistering counter-attack carved City open, with Rodrygo firing a precise effort into the far corner to finally end his staggering 32-game goal drought. The Bernabéu roared; Madrid were deservedly ahead.
City Turn the Game Around in Two Brutal Blows
But champions answer back. With their first real attacking moment, City found an equaliser. From Rayan Cherki’s pinpoint corner, Joško Gvardiol rose highest, and the rebound fell kindly for Nico O’Reilly to stab home from close range.
Moments later, Real Madrid imploded. Antonio Rüdiger foolishly dragged Erling Haaland down in the box. Although initially missed by the referee, VAR intervention made the decision inevitable. Haaland stepped up with ice in his veins, smashing the penalty home to complete a stunning turnaround.
In barely a few minutes, Madrid went from cruising to crisis.
Madrid Waste Golden Chances in Front of a Furious Home Crowd
The second half was all Madrid, but their finishing let them down badly. Jude Bellingham lifted a clear chance over the bar after rounding into space, while Vinícius Jr. missed not one but two tremendous opportunities—first a free header from six yards, then a volley at the back post.
Substitute Endrick came closest, rising brilliantly only to see his header rattle the crossbar. Madrid pushed, the Bernabéu screamed, but City defended like warriors to preserve their lead.
The final whistle was met not with applause, but with jeers and whistles aimed at Xabi Alonso. Back-to-back home defeats have placed the Madrid manager under intense scrutiny, creating the biggest crisis of his tenure so far.
City Take a Giant Step Toward Last-16 Qualification
For Manchester City, this was a statement win—tactical discipline, patience, and killer instinct at key moments. For Real Madrid, it was a night of missed chances and self-inflicted wounds.
As Kenyan fans look ahead to the knockout rounds, City appear sharper, more consistent, and increasingly confident. Madrid, meanwhile, must regroup fast to avoid further embarrassment on the European stage.
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Final Thoughts
Manchester City showed resilience and ruthlessness—traits that define champions. Real Madrid, on the other hand, is searching for answers as pressure builds on Xabi Alonso. The UCL drama continues, and fans across Kenya can expect even more twists as the competition heats up.
