Reigning Champions League titleholder Real Madrid suffered a setback in thier quest to finish atop Group C, falling 2-1 to Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Tuesday. The defeat – Madrid’s third in their last eight matches – intensifies scrutiny on manager Carlo Ancelotti as the club navigates a recent run of inconsistent form and ongoing injury concerns, including a limited role for star forward Kylian Mbappé due to a finger injury sustained last week. Elsewhere in Champions league action,Arsenal continued their impressive run with a decisive 3-0 victory over Club Brugge.
Pressure is mounting on Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti after a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in the sixth matchday of the Champions League group stage. The result leaves Real Madrid’s hopes of topping their group in question as the knockout stages approach.
This was Real Madrid’s third loss in their last eight games, with only two wins in that stretch. It also marks the reigning Champions League titleholders’ second continental defeat this season.
The loss has sparked speculation about Ancelotti’s future, with local media reporting his position could be in jeopardy.
Real Madrid was already dealing with injury concerns heading into the match, as star forward Kylian Mbappé was sidelined with a broken finger, though he was available on the bench.
Despite taking an early lead through Brazilian forward Rodrygo (28th minute) – his first goal of the season – Real Madrid fell behind after goals from Nico Álvarez (35th) and Erling Haaland (43rd minute, penalty). They were unable to find an equalizer despite creating several opportunities.
Real Madrid initially thought they had been awarded a penalty in the 3rd minute, but the call was overturned by VAR and ruled a free kick just outside the box. Uruguayan captain Federico Valverde’s powerful attempt from the ensuing free kick was saved for a corner (4th minute).
The home side continued to push forward, with Aurélien Tchouaméni heading a chance wide in the 18th minute, before Rodrygo broke the deadlock. He finished off a move started by a clever through ball from Jude Bellingham (28th minute).
City responded quickly, equalizing from a corner kick. Josko Gvardiol rose highest to head towards goal, where a strong save from Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois only pushed the ball into the path of Álvarez for an easy finish (35th minute).
Five minutes later, City was awarded a penalty, which Haaland confidently converted to give his team the lead (43rd minute). Courtois denied Haaland a second goal just before halftime (45+1 minute).
Real Madrid had several opportunities to level the score in the second half. Bellingham fired a shot carelessly at the Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (51st minute), and Rodrygo had another chance moments later (52nd minute). Courtois was also called into action, denying Ryan Cherki (52nd minute) and Jérémy Doku (62nd minute).
Mbappé was not fit enough to feature in the second half, so Ancelotti turned to Ibrahim Díaz and Brazilian youngster Endrick, who came close to scoring with a header that hit the crossbar (85th minute).
Arsenal Continue Dominance
Elsewhere, Arsenal secured their sixth consecutive win in the competition, maintaining their position at the top of their group with a dominant 3-0 victory over Club Brugge. Goals from Reiss Nelson (25th and 47th minutes) and Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli (56th minute) sealed the win.
The victory allows manager Mikel Arteta’s side to bounce back quickly from a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League, and they will look to continue their strong form with what is expected to be a straightforward match against Wolverhampton in their pursuit of the Premier League title.
