Man City vs Real Madrid: 5 Iconic UCL Moments

Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Five Defining Moments in Their Champions League Rivalry

For the fourth consecutive season, Manchester City and Real Madrid are set to clash in the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds. This modern rivalry has grown into one of the most exciting duels in European football, featuring unforgettable drama, breathtaking goals, and elite-level competition.

Both clubs have dominated the Champions League in recent years, with four of the last five finals featuring at least one of them. While Madrid remains the undisputed kings of Europe with a record 14 UCL titles, City has emerged as a force under Pep Guardiola, clinching their maiden Champions League trophy in 2023.

With both teams aiming for European glory once again, let’s relive five unforgettable moments that have shaped this growing rivalry.

1. Benzema’s Iconic Panenka – A Moment of Sheer Class (2022 Semi-Finals, First Leg)

🏟 Match: Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid

📅 Date: April 26, 2022

📊 Stats:

🔥 Goals: De Bruyne (2'), Jesus (11'), Foden (53'), Bernardo (74') | Benzema (33', 82' PEN), Vinicius Jr. (55')

⚡ Possession: Man City 60% – Real Madrid 40%

🎯 Shots on Target: Man City 6 – Real Madrid 5

The 2021/22 semi-finals saw one of the greatest Champions League games in history. Manchester City looked unstoppable, racing to an early 2-0 lead within 11 minutes thanks to Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus. However, Karim Benzema, in the form of his life, pulled one back before halftime.

In the second half, Phil Foden and Vinicius Jr. exchanged goals, while Bernardo Silva restored City’s two-goal cushion at 4-2. Just when City seemed to have control, Madrid was handed a late penalty after an Aymeric Laporte handball.

⚡ Enter Karim Benzema – the epitome of composure. Instead of blasting the ball, he audaciously chipped a Panenka penalty past Ederson, silencing the Etihad crowd. This goal not only kept Madrid alive but also showcased the sheer confidence of the eventual Ballon d’Or winner.

💬 Benzema on his penalty: "I always say: If you don’t take risks, you don’t win."

2. Rodrygo’s Miracle – The Comeback of the Century (2022 Semi-Finals, Second Leg)

🏟 Match: Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester City (AET, 6-5 Aggregate)

📅 Date: May 4, 2022

📊 Stats:

🔥 Goals: Mahrez (73') | Rodrygo (90', 90+1'), Benzema (95' PEN)

⚡ Possession: Real Madrid 44% – Man City 56%

🎯 Shots on Target: Real Madrid 5 – Man City 5

With City leading 5-3 on aggregate and just one minute away from the final, their ticket to Paris seemed secured. But then came Rodrygo's two-minute masterclass.

⚽ 90th minute: Rodrygo scores Madrid’s first shot on target of the game.

⚽ 91st minute: The Brazilian strikes again with a stunning header, sending the Bernabéu into absolute chaos.

Extra time arrived, and Karim Benzema completed the comeback from the penalty spot, dumping City out and cementing Madrid’s miracle reputation.

📢 Carlo Ancelotti later said: "If you give Madrid an inch, they’ll take a mile."

3. Man City’s Revenge – The Four-Goal Masterclass (2023 Semi-Finals, Second Leg)

🏟 Match: Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid (5-1 Aggregate)

📅 Date: May 17, 2023

📊 Stats:

🔥 Goals: Bernardo Silva (23', 37'), Akanji (76'), Álvarez (90+1')

⚡ Possession: Man City 60% – Real Madrid 40%

🎯 Shots on Target: Man City 7 – Real Madrid 2

After suffering heartbreak in 2022, City returned stronger than ever in the 2022/23 semi-finals. Following a 1-1 draw in Madrid, the Etihad hosted a footballing masterclass that saw City destroy Madrid 4-0.

⚡ Bernardo Silva was the standout performer, scoring two clinical first-half goals. City’s relentless pressing, sharp passing, and tactical dominance left Luka Modric and Toni Kroos struggling to control midfield.

With goals from Manuel Akanji and Julián Álvarez, City humiliated Madrid in their heaviest UCL defeat in over a decade. The treble was officially in sight, and City went on to win their first-ever Champions League title.

4. Six-Goal Thriller – An Instant Classic (2024 Quarter-Finals, First Leg)

🏟 Match: Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City

📅 Date: April 9, 2024

📊 Stats:

🔥 Goals: Vinicius Jr. (12'), Benzema (32'), Valverde (79') | Haaland (22'), De Bruyne (58'), Foden (71')

⚡ Possession: Real Madrid 48% – Man City 52%

🎯 Shots on Target: Real Madrid 6 – Man City 6

This six-goal thriller at the Bernabéu was one of the best games of the 2023/24 season. With the lead changing hands three times, both teams showcased elite attacking football.

🇺🇾 Federico Valverde stole the show, smashing home a world-class volley in the 79th minute to secure a draw. The game set up an electrifying return leg at the Etihad.

5. Bernardo’s Costly Mistake – Madrid’s Ice-Cold Penalty Shootout (2024 Quarter-Finals, Second Leg)

🏟 Match: Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-3 Pens, Madrid Win)

📅 Date: April 17, 2024

📊 Stats:

🔥 Goals: Grealish (29') | Rodrygo (61')

⚡ Possession: Man City 62% – Real Madrid 38%

🎯 Shots on Target: Man City 7 – Real Madrid 3

The return leg ended 1-1, sending the tie to a dramatic penalty shootout. Luka Modric missed Madrid’s first penalty, but Bernardo Silva’s disastrous Panenka attempt handed Madrid a lifeline.

⚡ Andriy Lunin saved from both Bernardo and Kovacic, allowing Antonio Rüdiger to blast home the winning penalty.

📢 Carlo Ancelotti: "Pressure makes diamonds, and Madrid always shines in the Champions League."

Final Thoughts: A Rivalry for the Ages

Man City vs. Real Madrid is no longer just another UCL fixture – it has become a battle of footballing giants. With both clubs continuing to dominate, expect more drama, more goals, and more unforgettable moments in the years to come.

💬 Who do you think will win their next UCL encounter? Let us know in the comments!