Manchester City Falls 3-2 to Real Madrid in UCL Playoff

In a thrilling Champions League playoff match on February 12, 2025, Real Madrid edged Manchester City 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium, with Jude Bellingham scoring a dramatic late winner in injury time. City initially led with goals from Erling Haaland, who scored in the 19th minute and converted a penalty in the 80th minute, but Madrid equalized twice through Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz before Bellingham's decisive goal. After the match, City manager Pep Guardiola expressed frustration over his team's recurring late-game collapses, attributing the loss to 'bad decisions' and a lack of composure. Guardiola acknowledged that City has conceded eight late goals in their last five Champions League matches, highlighting a concerning trend. The defeat leaves City needing to win by a single goal in the second leg at the Bernabéu to force extra time. Guardiola's comments reflect a critical moment for City as they strive to regain their form amidst defensive struggles this season.