Manchester City came from behind to earn a vital Champions League win over Real Madrid and increase the pressure on Xabi Alonso tonight.
Madrid took the lead through Rodrygo, who struck his first goal in several months after finishing off a swift break created by Jude Bellingham’s cross-field pass.
City responded before the momentum had fully settled, with Nico O’Reilly sweeping in the equaliser after Thibaut Courtois spilt Josko Gvardiol’s header back into the six-yard box.
Erling Braut Haaland completed the turnaround with a penalty on the stroke of half-time, punishing Antonio Rudiger’s clumsy challenge inside the area after a quick VAR check.
The result pushed City higher in the league-phase standings and delivered the reaction Pep Guardiola demanded after their previous European setback.
It also deepened the scrutiny on Alonso, whose Madrid team have now suffered a string of poor results due to injuries, tactical uncertainty and tension around the squad.
Madrid started the match confidently and could have taken the lead inside two minutes when Vinicius Junior was brought down just outside the box after an initial penalty call was overturned.
Federico Valverde went close from the resulting free-kick, and Vinicius missed another early chance at the far post as Madrid played with width, energy and purpose.
Rodrygo’s opener seemed to justify that start, but Madrid’s vulnerabilities resurfaced almost immediately as City began to assert control.
Courtois had denied Haaland with a sharp block before City’s equaliser, and he was required again moments later to stop Rayan Cherki from putting the visitors ahead.
City’s second goal arrived after a period of sustained pressure, and the timing of Haaland’s penalty, just before the interval, left Madrid shaken.
Alonso’s side tried to rally after the break and created moments of threat, with Bellingham lifting a presentable chance over the bar and Endrick heading against the woodwork late on.
City managed the closing stages with greater composure and threatened to add a third on the counter as Madrid pushed numbers forward.
The final whistle triggered loud frustration and intensified speculation about Alonso’s position after another match in which Madrid’s early spark faded into disorganisation.
City left Spain with a significant away victory, momentum restored in their European campaign and another sign of their ability to wrest control in high-pressure situations.
