Real Madrid’s Bellingham settles thriller to leave Manchester City on ropes Pep Guardiola had made the point that it was “impossible” to control Real Madrid’s fab front four.
“A clasico,” Ancelotti had called it and it was because of the history between the clubs, the epic showdowns, especially in the previous three seasons; one quarter-final, two semi-finals – meetings that defined the competition, the winners going all the way to lift the trophy; City once, Madrid twice.
Then Madrid worked their way up the left of the City area, Vinícius denied at close quarters by Ederson.
Vinícius Junior exposed the City substitute, Rico Lewis, and when he chipped the ball over the goalkeeper, Ederson, there was Jude Bellingham – who else?
There was also the more recent Ballon d’Or shemozzle, Madrid having boycotted the ceremony after City’s Rodri won rather than their man, Vinícius.
