Erling Braut Haaland is the man who will lead Manchester City to the promised land. The last piece in the puzzle on the way to the club’s first championship title. But the Norwegian, who is top scorer in this year’s tournament with 12 goals, didn’t quite get it right in front of goal against Real Madrid. Before the match, much was about the striker duel with Karim Benzema. Instead, it was the creative masterminds Vinicius jr. and Kevin De Bruyne who stole the show. Before the break, the Brazilian ended a brilliant counterattack with a magnificent shot. After the break, De Bruyne ensured that the points were shared when he hammered the ball hard behind Thibaut Courtois. The duel for a place in the final is completely open before next week’s second leg. MÅLLÖS: Erling Braut Haaland, for a rare reason, was unable to find his way to the nets. Photo: ISABEL INFANTES / Reuters Bowed against his own team, Haaland smiled slyly as the tournament’s anthem rang out across the Santiago Bernabéu, but it wasn’t until a quarter of an hour into the match that he woke up. Within two minutes he had a shot and headed towards Thibaut Courtois’ goal, but the goalkeeper had good control on both attempts. The hosts looked like the away team in their own living room in the first half. The Real fans found it so bad that they resorted to booing their own team. “Los Blancos” lay deep, made it difficult for City and rode out the storm. The visitors had more than 70 percent possession, but struggled to create big chances. That’s why Carlo Ancelotti’s disciples looked so dangerous once they had the ball. And ten minutes MANAGEMENT: Vinicius jr. cheers for scoring. Photo: JUAN MEDINA / Reuters before half-time it slammed. Luka Modric flicked the ball on with the outside of his foot as only Luka Modric can, and launched a wild counterattack. Eduardo Camavinga carried the ball from deep in his own half to deep in City’s, before releasing the ball to Vinicius jr. A real rush ensured that even an Ederson in full stretch was far from being able to prevent 1–0. A dream goal from the Brazilian, who has been in fantastic form recently. – A strikingly beautiful goal by Vinicius jr. What a talent, former top player Gary Lineker wrote about the 22-year-old. Mansmark Haaland After switching sides, Kevin De Bruyne had a golden opportunity to equalise. The Belgian was played free on the right wing and had a clear path towards goal. The angle was sharp, but the save from Courtois was just as good. Soon after, it was Haaland’s turn, but this time David Alaba threw forward a long foot and stopped the finish from the Norwegian national team striker. Antonio Rüdiger, in particular, looked after Haaland well, who struggled to find room and get to TAKE CARE OF: Rüdiger was never far away from Haaland. Photo: OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP chances in the meeting with the German. Thus it became an anonymous and speechless evening at work for him. – I think Rüdiger likes the challenge he gets with Haaland. Rüdiger likes that type of game, so Haaland has to be a bit smarter. Rüdiger loves it. I feel for Haaland because nobody sees his races, said the former England national team player Chris Waddle at the BBC. – Madrid did a fantastic job with Haaland tonight. He was quiet and didn’t get much support from his team-mates, former Celtic manager Neil Lennon told the same channel. Dream goal for De Bruyne The visitors continued to push for a long-awaited goal, and midway through the half it struck again in Madrid. Camavinga messed up the ball in a dangerous area, and soon after Ilkay Gündogan rolled the ball sideways as you always dreamed of on the loop in your childhood. De Bruyne stretched the grid and tapped as hard as he could, and the ball gained enormous speed into the corner. Untouchable for Courtois, who was left with no chance as Ederson had done in the first half. EQUALIZATION: Kevin De Bruyne ensured the points were shared with a sizzler. Photo: JUAN MEDINA / Reuters The nightmare in Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu brings back bad memories for City fans. One year and three days ago, the two teams met in the semi-finals on the same pitch, where the English collapsed in spectacular fashion. Two Real goals in the 89th and 90th minutes ensured a 2-1 lead and extra time. Four minutes into the first of them, Karim Benzema scored from the penalty spot. A bunch of disastrous minutes for the light blues, who also crushed their dream of a Champions League final. Guardiola has denied that it is revenge that motivates them. He has yet to take Manchester City to the top of the tournament, and it is the pursuit of gold and medals that he claims will drive the crew to victory. Next week they will have another opportunity against the powerhouse from Madrid. On Wednesday, the first semi-final of the all-Italian Milan derby between Inter and Milan in the Champions League will be played.
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Anonymous and goalless Haaland in the semi-finals – draw after dream scores – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
