Despite Manchester City claiming a crucial 4-3 win in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, a second half stunner from Vinicius Jr for the Spaniards was the highlight of the night at the Etihad.
The Brazilian youngster scored a sensational solo goal in the second half to reduce the deficit, as Real fought back on three occasions to give themselves a fighting chance in the second leg.
If the goal from Vinicius was good, the reaction on the sideline from City manager Pep Guardiola was almost even better. Guardiola couldn't believe Vinicius got away from his marker Fernandinho so easily, and made a beeline for the fourth official once the ball hit the net.
The first leg at the Etihad was a cracking tie, with Real falling two goals behind on three separate occasions. Despite that, they go into the second leg with only a one goal deficit to claw back.
Man City v Real Madrid: Vinicius scores worldie in Real defeat
Real Madrid scored three belters away to Manchester City on Tuesday night. Karim Benzema's first goal was a neat first time finish, while his second was one of the cheekiest Panenkas we've ever seen.
It was the second Real Madrid goal from Vinicius, however, that stole the show. The Brazilian's dummy and nutmeg of Fernandinho allowed him to break down the touchline and, after sprinting into the City penalty area, he slid the ball past Ederson to make the score 3-2.
Hard to choose between the game and just watching this Vinicius Jr goal on repeat. What a strike!
Watch every UCL game for free here on the LiveScore app: https://t.co/asGxlTfSUJ. Registered ROI users only. #ad pic.twitter.com/GhYahhOqXU— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) April 26, 2022
The strike from Vinicius was an instant Champions League all-timer. What was arguably even better was the reaction of disbelief from City manager Pep Guardiola on the sideline.
Guardiola fell to the ground in disbelief when Vinicius slid past Fernandinho with ease, and held his head in his hands. When Vinicius managed to score, Guardiola made his way over to the fourth official and remonstrated about what he believed was a foul earlier in the buildup to the goal.
Pep Guardiola’s reaction to Vinicius’s dummy 🤣 pic.twitter.com/LVv64SjFh2
— S. (@utdz0ne) April 26, 2022
Guardiola had every right to be fuming with his Manchester City defence. Despite City scoring four thanks to some woeful organisation from Real, alongside some brilliant attacking play from City, their defence allowed Real in with far too much ease.
The absence of both Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo was felt by City, with makeshift Fernandinho showing his age against the youthful pace and exuberance of Vinicius.
You wouldn't know this man missed three penalties this month.
One of the most audacious Panenkas we can remember
Watch every UCL game for free here on the LiveScore app: https://t.co/asGxlTfSUJ. Registered ROI users only. #adpic.twitter.com/9Zbn3CiW2O— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) April 26, 2022
Real Madrid are truly hanging on to this Champions League run by their fingernails, with the continued brilliance of Vinicius and Karim Benzema - plus a whole lot of luck - keeping them in the competition despite being on the ropes on three occasions in the knockout stages.
You'd be wary of betting against them for the second leg in Madrid...
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