Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City result: Erling Haaland and Nico O’Reilly inspire UEFA Champions League comeback win at the Bernabeu

Champions League / League Phase

Bernabéu / 10.12.2025

Real Madrid

Finished

Manchester City

Rodrygo(28')

N. O'Reilly(35')
E. Haaland(43' PEN)

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Highlights

MAN CITY WIN AT THE BERNABEU AS REAL MADRID SLUMP CONTINUES

Manchester City came from a goal down to beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu thanks to a first UEFA Champions League goal from Nico O’Reilly and a 51st for Erling Haaland.

In an open and exciting game, Real Madrid turned their dominance in the opening stages into a lead when the lively Rodrygo finished superbly from a wide angle on 28 minutes, filling the void left by the injured Kylian Mbappe in the Madrid forward line.

But City pulled level not long after, when a downward header from Josko Gvardiol went through a crowd of bodies and was spilled by Thibaut Courtois, allowing O’Reilly to finish from close range.

And on 43 minutes it was the visitors who took the lead in a topsy-turvy first half. Erling Haaland was adjudged to have been fouled in the box by Antonio Rudiger after a VAR review, and the Norwegian stepped up to slot home the penalty, registering his 51st goal in the Champions League on the night of his 50th appearance in the competition (Opta).

Both teams threatened in a lively second half, with substitute Endrick hitting the bar and Vinicius Junior missing a decent headed chance from close range as Madrid became increasingly desperate for a way back into the game and an end to their recent run of poor results at home.

But City held on for a win that lifts them into fourth and above Madrid in the league phase table, significantly boosting their chances of finishing in one of the top eight qualification spots for the knockout stages.

Whistles rained down from the Madrid fans at full-time, with the result adding to the building pressure on Los Blancos boss Xavi Alonso.

Highlights: O'Reilly, Haaland secure Man City comeback win

Video credit: TNT Sports

STEVEN GERRARD LAUDS NICO O’REILLY

It was a big night for young City full-back O’Reilly, who scored the equaliser and did well on a night when he came up against some seriously testing wingers. Here’s what Steven Gerrard had to say on the youngster’s performance:

"I thought he played well beyond his years. He showed great composure and defended really well at the right times.

"Rodrygo was magnificent tonight, but for a young kid he handled both Vinicius and Rodrygo when he had to. It's a great sign from an England point of view, but you've got to enjoy this from a City perspective.

"To come here at any time to play against any Madrid team and win 2-1 in such a controlled manner, is impressive. They didn't have to go into top gear tonight, but they fully deserved it."

And here's what the man himself had to say:

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JOE HART EXPLAINS MISTAKE FROM COURTOIS

It was Nico O’Reilly who won it for Man City on the night, but in the TNT Sports studio, Joe Hart explains why Thibaut Courtois did not make as much of an error to palm a save straight out to the full-back as it initially looked:

"That O'Reilly late movement means that he just has to kind of get something on it," Hart said. "It's like your brain will be just like 'right, get it away', whereas usually, he's just picking it up. He doesn't get enough on it and next minute it's in the goal. He'll be dying to get in and work out what's gone on there, because it's hard to compute sometimes. He's one of the best.

"You've got to wait. You have to wait. Because O'Reilly can flick that, he can leave it, he can touch it down, when eventually he just completely gets out of the way. There's no getting away that Thibaut Courtois will be disappointed, I'm not saying he won't be.

"Immediately, you're all going 'what on earth has gone on there,' and immediately I'm going 'Courtois doesn't make mistakes like that unless something happens, so I need to see it again.' You're telling me Thibaut Courtois, without something crazy happening, doesn't just pick that up? He's in his line. He's got no idea where that is until it's on him. And that's why he ends up doing what he does."

O'Reilly scores first UCL goal to equalise for Man City

Video credit: TNT Sports

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE LEAGUE TABLE

This win sees Man City leapfrog Real Madrid in the standings, lifting them up to 13 points and fourth, level on points with PSG and Atalanta, and with only Bayern Munich (15) and Arsenal (18) having accumulated more.

The Spanish side slip to seventh with 12 points, only in those top eight automatic qualification spots courtesy of goal difference. Both will still hope to avoid the play-off round.

'REAL MADRID HAVE ONE OR TWO PROBLEMS'

Here’s what Ally McCoist had to say at full-time:

"You don't want to take anything away from City, but they've been very comfortable, even coming from a goal down. City were worthy winners, Donnarumma didn't have a lot to do, flapped at one corner but that was about it in the second half.

"Real Madrid were so sloppy in defence, especially in the first half, and they look like they've got one or two problems to be honest with you."

FULL-TIME: CITY HOLD ON TO WIN AT THE BERNABEU

The final whistle goes and more whistles immediately rain down from the stands. Real Madrid’s poor run of form continues as Man City head back to the north-west of England with three points.

93'

VITAL HEADER BY AKE

A curling cross looks destined to set up a last-gasp chance, but Ake makes a crucial headed intervention. Is that the last opportunity for Real?

90'

VINICIUS DENIED BY HIS OWN TEAMMATE

A gorgeous cross-field ball by Valverde picks up Vinicius, who cuts inside and shoots, but his shot hits a white shirt and loops behind. I’m not sure it was going on target, but that incident only adds to the Bernabeu’s frustration.

90'

ANOTHER BOOKING AND A SUSPENSION

Bernardo Silva commits a cynical challenge to halt a Real Madrid attack before it can even really form, and he is immediately booked, rightly so. That yellow card will rule him out of City’s next game – an away trip to face Bodø/Glimt.

Yellow card

B. Silva

Manchester City

88'

YELLOW CARD

Defending isn’t Carreras’ strong suit and he hauls down Savinho, earning him a booking. It’s been an aggressive game.

Yellow card

Á. Carreras

Real Madrid

88'

CHANGE FOR CITY

Guardiola knows the pressure is building, and Doku, who has been dangerous tonight but offers little defensively, is replaced by Ake.

Substitution in

N. Aké

Manchester City

Substitution out

J. Doku

Manchester City

87'

YELLOW CARD

Rodrygo commits a foul as he looks to keep the pressure up on City, and boots the ball away in frustration. The referee has no option but to book him.

Yellow card

Rodrygo

Real Madrid

85'

BELLINGHAM PULLING THE STRINGS LATE ON

The longer this game progresses and the more desperate Real Madrid get, the bigger the influence we’re seeing from Jude Bellingham in midfield. He’s pulling the strings and picking up really dangerous pockets of space. He loves a late goal, and you wouldn’t bet against it.

84'

OFF THE BAR!

Endrick rises high to meet a clipped cross from the lively Carreras, and crashes his header against the bar. That was so close to the equaliser!

82'

YELLOW CARD

Rudiger fouls Savinho right on the edge of the box, down by the byline. It’s risky and really should be a yellow card, but the referee opts not to show the Real Madrid a second yellow. Pep Guardiola is furious down on the touchline, and it is he who goes into the official’s book. Here's Ally McCoist on that incident:

"It's a poor challenge from Rudiger. It was his ball all day. The referee has done him a favour, there [on a yellow card]. He's got to deal with that a lot better."

80'

ANOTHER GREAT CHANCE FOR VINICIUS

A deep corner from Güler picks out the unmarked Vinicius at the back post. He wasn’t sure it was reaching him so reacts quite late, slicing a volley off target.

79'

ASENCIO REPLACED

Real make another change, with Asencio taken off. He punches the edge of the dugout in frustration as he heads for his seat. Endrick is the player introduced, presumably with Tchouaméni slotting into defence.

Substitution in

Endrick

Real Madrid

Substitution out

R. Asencio

Real Madrid

77'

VINI HEADS WIDE

A teasing cross comes in and Vinicius meets it. He should at the very least test the keeper, but gets a poor connection on his header, which slides wide.

75'

YELLOW CARD

O’Reilly leans on Valverde, who goes down and tries to slide into the box as he falls to win a penalty. The ref isn’t buying that, but it is a free-kick and a booking too for the young full-back.

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