Real Madrid have been nothing if not entertaining in this season's Champions League, and the opening to their semi-final first leg against Manchester City was just another example.
Despite cutting down PSG and Chelsea in dramatic fashion, hopes were not high for Real going into their clash with City, and they were humbled in the opening moments of the game at the Etihad.
Some excellence from Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden, coupled with a healthy dose of some shambolic defending from the Real Madrid defence, allowed Man City to storm into a decisive 2-0 lead within the opening 10 minutes of the first leg.
Man City v Real Madrid: Citizens roar into early 2-0 lead after shambolic defending
The contrast between Manchester City and Real Madrid made their semi-final match up in the Champions League an intriguing one.
City have never won the European Cup, but remain in contention to do a league-Champions League double and seal a terrific run under Pep Guardiola. Real, by contrast, are unfancied among the last four, but remain the most successful club in the competition's history with 13 trophies.
In the opening moments of Tuesday's first leg, City showed why they are now considered by many to be the best team in the world.
With just 90 seconds on the clock, winger Riyad Mahrez showed his brilliance to dance through the Real Madrid defence and put a sumptuous cross into the area for City teammate Kevin de Buryne to head home. The defence was lacklustre from Real, but Mahrez's cross was delightful, and City had a dream start.
That cross from Riyad Mahrez is absolutely filthy.
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It went from bad to worse for Real just ten minutes later.
Phil Foden did brilliantly to track down the ball on the left wing, before the ball made its way to Gabriel Jesus. A mix up in the Real defence allowed the in-form striker to slot home his fifth goal in just two games, and the 13-times champions were 2-0 down after just 10 minutes of play.
Genuinely too easy for Manchester City to cut Real Madrid open here.
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In truth, Manchester City could have been four or five up with their dominance in the early stages, with Phil Foden and Oleksandr Zinchenko both coming close to adding to City's tally.
Real were fortunate to ride the storm of the moments after City's second goal. They would ultimately claw a goal back before half-time, thanks to a brilliant finish from Karim Benzema, who may be in better form than any player in world football.
The sides went in with City 2-1 up at half-time at the Etihad.
SEE ALSO: Remembering The Chaotic Real Madrid-Bayern Munich Penalty Shootout Of 2012
