A wild match at Santiago Bernabeu was avoided by Los Blancos thanks to a fantastic goal by the Uruguayan.

Real Madrid and Manchester City’s wild match in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal was topped off by Federico Valverde’s incredible volley to secure a 3-3 draw. With his spectacular shot, the Uruguayan put an incredible evening of highlight-reel goals, fortunate deflections, and fierce challenges to bed. The result was a tense tie that both teams will likely have to settle with.

Andriy Lunin was caught off guard by Bernardo Silva’s fast free kick at his near post, setting up a nightmare start for Los Blancos. But shortly after, Eduardo Camavinga’s deflected strike caught Stefan Ortega off guard in the City net, giving the hosts a point. Two minutes later, Rodrygo gave Madrid the lead by darting in behind the defence and slotting the ball in.

After the break, Madrid had a few more opportunities to score, but in the first fifteen minutes of the second half, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. both missed opportunities. And to tie the score at 2-2, England midfielder Phil Foden punished them with a beautifully curled shot that kissed the top corner. Josko Gvardiol scored a stunning own goal to make it 3-2. The left-back hammered the ball home from 20 yards to give the visitors the lead once more. However, Valverde quickly equalized, hitting the ball into the lower corner.

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Goalkeeper & Defence

Rank: 6/10 Andriy Lunin

Really ought to have blocked Bernardo’s opening goal, even though he may have a few complaints about Madrid’s inability to erect a suitable wall. unable to take action against the other two, and neatly stopped to deny Haaland.

Carvajal Dani (6/10):

Despite being mistreated by the boisterous Germans, he remained collected throughout crucial moments.

(5/10) Aurelien Tchouameni:

within 38 seconds, received a booking that eliminated him from the second leg. Gvardiol ought to have been stopped on City’s third.

Antonio Rudiger: (8/10)

The murderer of Haaland? kept the large striker quiet the entire game and wasn’t able to do much more, even though his team conceded three goals.

Ferland Mendy: (8/10)

successfully marshaled the left side of the pitch. won many crucial duels in the last moments of the first half. His best performance to date.

Midfield

Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):

Fortuitously found the back of the net with a deflected strike that resulted in the equalizer. Subsequently dedicated his efforts to resolving midfield challenges and maintaining the team’s flow.

Federico Valverde (8/10):

Exhibited relentless energy throughout the entire match, covering significant ground on the field. Showcased his skills by scoring a remarkable goal to even the scoreline.

Toni Kroos (6/10):

Had less involvement in ball possession compared to his usual standards, yet remained remarkably effective whenever in control. His impact diminished as the game became more open.

Jude Bellingham (7/10):

Fearlessly engaged in tackles, consistently reclaiming possession and demonstrating the tenacity required by Real Madrid. However, he narrowly escaped a booking, making him fortunate not to face suspension in the subsequent leg.

Attack

Rodrygo (8/10):

Although his goal may have received a stroke of luck, it was his diligent efforts that paved the way for its realization. He consistently troubled the City defense throughout the match, making their lives difficult.

Vinicius Jr (8/10):

Impressively delivered a splendid pass to set up Rodrygo’s goal and contributed another assist for Valverde’s equalizer. While his own attempts could have been more precise, his overall productivity should not be underestimated.

Subs & Manager

Luka Modric (7/10):

Showcased his elegance on the ball and played a significant role in bringing Madrid back into the game with moments of class.

Brahim Diaz (6/10):

Successfully regained possession on a few occasions and displayed a lack of intimidation despite the fast pace of the game.

Joselu (N/A):

Unfortunately, didn’t have sufficient time to make a notable impact on the match.

Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):

Demonstrated courage by choosing to start Tchouameni in defense, while fielding an otherwise strong lineup. Madrid exhibited brilliance at times, but Ancelotti may regret their occasional lack of quality in front of the goal. A draw is not a disappointing result, but there may have been opportunities to score more. Nevertheless, everything remains open for the next leg.