Man City 2-3 Real Madrid (Haaland 19′, 80′ | Mbappe 60′, Diaz 86′, Bellingham 90’+2)
ETIHAD STADIUM — Erling Haaland continues to assault the Champions League goalscoring record books but, for this season at least, there appears small hope of adding to his tally beyond next week’s play-off second leg in Madrid.
Twice the City No 9 scored against Real Madrid but twice his side conceded, with two goals in the final four minutes, including the injury-time winner by Jude Bellingham, clinching a 3-2 win for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
Jude Bellingham wins it in stoppage time for Real Madrid
Clutch once again
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For Haaland, 49 Champions League goals in 48 games puts him in the top 10 of all-time scorers in the competition, level with Real great Alfredo Di Stefano, no less.
But if Haaland does not net his half-century in the Bernabeu next week, it seems highly doubtful he will get another chance this season… or, given City’s precarious league position, possibly not next, either.
Pep Guardiola’s side have become a defensive liability, especially late in games, and especially in Europe, where they have let in eight goals over the final 16 minutes of their last eight ties.
Domestically, there have also been late, late goals that have cost City defeats against Brighton and Manchester United, and a draw against Brentford.
The difference in the latest instance, however, was the mood around the club and dressing room following the defeat, one of resignation and, to put it bluntly, a sense of bewilderment of how they can stem the late tides that have swamped them in so many games.
“I don’t know how to put it into words straight away, it’s so raw and frustrating for everyone,” John Stones said.
“We were in the game until so late and then it’s two situations that happen and we concede. It’s frustrating as a defender to come away with that result.
“It’s a feeling of anger and frustration. We need to see games out better.
“The manager said we need to take accountability for what we do on the pitch, I think we do that. We need to step up when these bad moments happen.
“Today we had a great opportunity to go to the Bernabeu with a 2-1 lead. It’s not done. We have to stay positive, which is difficult now. As the manager says we need to look at ourselves and take accountability.”
Guardiola: My players are suffering
City’s lead started to unravel thanks to an 86th-minute equaliser from former City junior Brahim Diaz, who responded quickly and put the ball into an open net after Ederson had saved well from Vinicius Junior.
And as the seconds ticked down, a mistake by Rico Lewis let in Vinicius Junior, who lobbed the ball past Ederson and allowed Bellingham to speed in and finish into an open goal.
Guardiola, himself, confirmed he had spoken of accountability to his players but did not excuse himself from criticism after what felt like a new low in a season of so many.
“It belongs to all of us, not just the players,” Guardiola said. “I don’t have a problem to accept that it doesn’t work like it worked in the past.
“But it’s all of us. For me, it would be easy to blame one specific player; that is ridiculous. That doesn’t work, it’s all of us. And me first. That is why I am here for many years.
“And the players, as well. This is the truth. Of course they want it; how they work, how they run. But the truth is we are not stable enough. Today is not an exception, it has happened many times.”
Haaland’s productive evening was one of several positives to emerge from the game for Guardiola although the City manager admitted their late collapses have negated so many of them.
“Of course we are doing many good things but when we arrive at the end it is tough,” said Guardiola.
“Many games it has happened like this. Against Feyenoord, against Sporting Lisbon, against Brentford in the Premier League, Man United… Many games, at the end, we gave them away. At this level, it is so difficult.
“For the players it’s difficult, I think a lot about how they are suffering because they are doing everything but we’re not able to close, to be solid in decision-making in certain moments. We need to be better.”
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