Matchday LIVE: Manchester City host Real Madrid in UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg

<p>And breathe!</p><p>The full-time whistle goes at the Etihad Stadium, and it is Manchester City who will take the advantage into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid, after they came out on top in a supremely entertaining seven-goal thriller.</p><p>Yet for Pep Guardiola's side, the question will be how they either failed to score more or conceded so many, even with a second-string defence - while Carlo Ancelotti will surely be pleased that Los Blancos showed their resolve to keep it to a one-goal margin.</p><p>What a game that was.</p>

FT: Man City 4-3 Madrid

Hosts take advantage in seven-goal thriller

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yep, of course. ❄️<br><br>Of course Benzema delivered a panenka in a Champions League semi-final 😵<br><br>This game really has it all! It's now 4-3! <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/TMkdfmveuC">pic.twitter.com/TMkdfmveuC</a></p>— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) <a href="https://x.com/footballontnt/status/1519055161787916296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">BENZEMA. ICE. COLD. 🥶 <a href="https://t.co/T6l2dnENIq">pic.twitter.com/T6l2dnENIq</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://x.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1519054933307248640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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WATCH: Benzema nets Panenka penalty

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vinícius Júnior, THAT IS CLASS! 🤩<br><br>Just as Phil Foden regained Man City's two-goal lead Real Madrid strike back once again!<br><br>What a run and finish! 💥<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/UUvILhtzLu">pic.twitter.com/UUvILhtzLu</a></p>— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) <a href="https://x.com/footballontnt/status/1519048399307546624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The turn. The run. The finish!<br>Magical from Vini Jr. 🎩 <a href="https://t.co/UytIrCpelX">pic.twitter.com/UytIrCpelX</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://x.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1519048157392347137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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WATCH: Vinicius nabs Blancos response

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">IT HAD TO BE HIM! ⚽️<br><br>Karim Benzema halves Man City's lead with a lovely instinctive finish 👌<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/JrFK1faTvN">pic.twitter.com/JrFK1faTvN</a></p>— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) <a href="https://x.com/footballontnt/status/1519038625933107203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">KING KARIM SCORES HIS 40TH GOAL OF THE SEASON ON HIS 600TH REAL APPEARANCE. 👑 <a href="https://t.co/lii5qWEPLg">pic.twitter.com/lii5qWEPLg</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://x.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1519038324719058944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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WATCH: Benzema pulls one back for Madrid

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">94 SECONDS ON THE CLOCK! ⚡️<br><br>Riyad Mahrez with an unbelievable delivery and Kevin De Bruyne with an expertly guided header 🎯<br><br>An incredible start for Man City!<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/nuiF7OqsXb">pic.twitter.com/nuiF7OqsXb</a></p>— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) <a href="https://x.com/footballontnt/status/1519030627810557953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">THE PASS FROM MAHREZ. THE FINISH FROM KDB.<br>95 seconds in, Manchester City score the fastest goal in a <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> semi-final. 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/sTCu9KzhDF">pic.twitter.com/sTCu9KzhDF</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://x.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1519031002449932288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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WATCH: De Bruyne heads City into early lead

<p>And with that, the curtain comes down on night one of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.</p><p>Same time tomorrow, then? Oh, go on.</p><p>Liverpool take on Villarreal - and we'll be there every step of the way. Until then, thank you for joining us - and take care!</p>

Thank you and good bye

<p>Robert Lewandowski could well be robbed a third time now, but...</p><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Give it to Karim Benzema now 🔮 <a href="https://t.co/vPmbqUKU6i">pic.twitter.com/vPmbqUKU6i</a></p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://x.com/goal/status/1519061640402157569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The right call?

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">7 - Man City 4-3 Real Madrid is the joint-highest scoring ever Champions League semi-final, along with Ajax 5-2 Bayern Munich (April 1995) and Liverpool 5-2 Roma (April 2018). Breathless. <a href="https://t.co/AqUWHzY59A">pic.twitter.com/AqUWHzY59A</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://x.com/OptaJoe/status/1519058665889804291?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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What a rush!

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏟️ Everything will be decided back at the Bernabéu.<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/YPoeVwH2qP">pic.twitter.com/YPoeVwH2qP</a></p>— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) <a href="https://x.com/realmadriden/status/1519060564210819075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Only one will rise...

<p>So, football fans - is it really advantage to Manchester City?</p><p>They won on home turf with a superb performance, but there were points where it felt like the sky was the limit - and Real Madrid cutting the gap to just one goal means that the return leg at Santiago Bernabeu is a trickier prospect than it should have been.</p><p>Sound off in the comments below, and let us know what you thought.</p>

So then...

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">5 - After his hat-trick at Chelsea and brace tonight v Man City, Karim Benzema is the first player in Champions League history to score as many as five goals away from home in the knockout stages against clubs from a single nation in a season. Ridiculous. <a href="https://t.co/o1IdhlwbEI">pic.twitter.com/o1IdhlwbEI</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://x.com/OptaJoe/status/1519054998864334850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Ridiculous

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An all-time Champions League classic 🍿<br><br>Advantage Manchester City. <a href="https://t.co/R615fJSB4O">pic.twitter.com/R615fJSB4O</a></p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://x.com/goal/status/1519057104182685699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Advantage City

<p>There's three minutes to be added at the Etihad Stadium, but we'll see a little more than that after a few individuals make their way from the stands onto the pitch.</p><p>Is there one last twist in this game?</p>

Into the final minutes

<p>PANENKA KLAXON!</p><p>Karim Benzema has just played a Panenka from the penalty spot to get Real Madrid's third of this madcap match.</p><p>Ederson looks furious with himself about that one. The Etihad Stadium falls silent, then trickles back to life. This is pure sporting theatre.</p>

GOAL: Man City 4-3 Madrid

<p>Just how many twists and turns does this game have?!</p><p>Aymeric Laporte takes a ball to the arm and a spot-kick is awarded to Real Madrid.</p><p>Manchester City are furious but to the letter of the law, they can't have many complaints there.</p>

Penalty to Real Madrid!

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">9 - No English player has scored more goals in the Champions League while aged 21 or younger than Man City's Phil Foden (9, level with Wayne Rooney). Star. <a href="https://t.co/l5iQZpPDz0">pic.twitter.com/l5iQZpPDz0</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://x.com/OptaJoe/status/1519050687342125057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Stars in his eyes

<p>PHWOAR, WHAT A SCORCHER!</p><p>Real Madrid might protest this one, but Manchester City certainly will not, as Bernardo Silva monsters a whopper of a shot into the near-top corner.</p><p>Los Blancos appeared to switch off after a foul in the build-up, expecting a free-kick to go against them instead. Now, they are two goals down on the scoreboard once more.</p>

GOAL: Man City 4-2 Madrid

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">71. Boy wonder! 💫<br><br>🔵 3-2 ⚪️ | <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ManCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManCity</a> <a href="https://t.co/6f1ja3Dm5l">pic.twitter.com/6f1ja3Dm5l</a></p>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://x.com/ManCity/status/1519051159884996611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Boy wonder

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vinicius Junior had the Manchester City defence on its knees 🤧 <a href="https://t.co/kRtnVcuVdA">pic.twitter.com/kRtnVcuVdA</a></p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://x.com/goal/status/1519048803902496773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Absolutely barmy

<p>This isn't football - this is absolute madness!</p><p>Real Madrid have barely conceded their third of the day, and now they strike back again, to cut Manchester City's lead to one goal once more!</p><p>Fernandinho is at fault this time, as a makeshift right-back, with Vinicius Junior allowed to get the jump on him. The Blancos man tears down the left flank, runs inside and slides a low finish past Ederson.</p>

GOAL: Man City 3-2 Madrid

<p>HE'S ONE OF THEIR OWN!</p><p>Phil Foden will turn 22 on the day of the Champions League Final, and he might have just helped Manchester City take a massive step towards it!</p><p>The England star restores a two-goal lead for the hosts, as he rises to meet a beautiful Fernandinho ball tipped off a break on the right and heads home at the left post.</p>

GOAL: Man City 3-1 Madrid

<p>Real Madrid are really living life on the edge right now, aren't they?!</p><p>Riyad Mahrez goes close again with a ranged effort on the lip of the box and hits the far post.</p><p>Phil Foden pounces for a follow-up and Dani Carvajal manages to lash it clear just in front of the line.</p>

Mahrez hits the post

<p>Here come the teams again and we're back underway for the second half in Manchester.</p><p>City were the big winners of that first half, but have Madrid given themselves a sniff of a result with that goal? Or can the hosts reimpose themselves again?</p>

Back underway at Etihad Stadium

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2 - Real Madrid have conceded two goals in the first 11 minutes of a Champions League game for the first time in the history of the competition. Shock. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/m7nHIwEjRr">pic.twitter.com/m7nHIwEjRr</a></p>— OptaJose (@OptaJose) <a href="https://x.com/OptaJose/status/1519034480425676801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Rapid fire

<p>Well, what a first half of action that has been!</p><p>It's the break at the Etihad Stadium and not a moment too soon - we all need to catch our breath after that one!</p><p>Kevin De Bruyne's record-breaking header and Gabriel Jesus' close finish looked to have put Manchester City on the path to a rout, but Real Madrid have clung on and nabbed one back through Karim Benzema.</p><p>There's a lot to come in this one still!</p>

HT: Man City 2-1 Madrid

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">40 - Karim Benzema is the first player to score 40+ goals in a single season for Real Madrid since Cristiano Ronaldo left them in 2018, with Ronaldo the last to do so for the club in 2017-18 (44). Unleashed. <a href="https://t.co/LypKVx7epd">pic.twitter.com/LypKVx7epd</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://x.com/OptaJoe/status/1519038289747099650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Benz again

<p>Well, it looks like the gamble to field John Stones at right-back has come to an end. The England man was a doubt in the build-up, and those notions appear to be well-founded.</p><p>Off he trots gingerly, with captain Fernandinho on in his place. What can the veteran bring to his side now?</p>

Stones forced off for hosts

<p>Is the comeback on already for Real Madrid?</p><p>Karim Benzema cuts the gap for Los Blancos - and who else could it be, really? - with a side-footed, rocky volley from the box.</p><p>He catches a cross from the left edge and the bounce of his finish allows him to wrongfoot Ederson. Manchester City see their lead trimmed.</p>

GOAL: Man City 2-1 Madrid

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">29. THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN THREE!<br><br>City break again, @DeBruyneKev threads through <a href="https://x.com/PhilFoden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PhilFoden</a> who's first touch didn't set him up as he'd have wanted and the resulting shot was dragged wide - we're pressing for the third though! 💪<br><br>🔵 2-0 ⚪️ | <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ManCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManCity</a></p>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://x.com/ManCity/status/1519036438775582720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Foden close for City's third

<p>There could be a goal at either end in the blink of an eye now.</p><p>Manchester City hit their own post - their own! - with some last-gasp defending after Madrid catch them napping around the box.</p><p>Then Riyad Mahrez smashes an effort into the side-netting at the other end of the pitch.</p>

End-to-end stuff

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">KEVIN DE BRUYNE SCORES THE FASTEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL GOAL EVER 😱 <a href="https://t.co/qcpqCacjA2">pic.twitter.com/qcpqCacjA2</a></p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://x.com/goal/status/1519033375939563521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Fast and furious

<p>Well, Manchester City don't seem to be missing Kyle Walker too much so far, do they?</p><p>Real Madrid are missing Casemiro though. His absence has been exploited ruthlessly so far.</p><p>But Los Blancos have already delivered some superb comebacks this term. They aren't out of this, not by a long shot.</p>

Different strokes

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2-0 up after 11 minutes 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/l3hnFKgz06">pic.twitter.com/l3hnFKgz06</a></p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://x.com/goal/status/1519032344287584257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Man with a plan

<p>Do not adjust your sets, people! Manchester City are ripping Real Madrid apart!</p><p>Gabriel Jesus pops up with another one of those big goals he's so fond of, and Los Blancos are two down inside the first quarter-hour!</p><p>The Etihad Stadium is absolutely rocking, as the Brazilian controls Kevin De Bruyne's smart pass on the edge of the six-yar area, turns and blasts beyond Thibaut Courtois.</p>

GOAL: Man City 2-0 Madrid

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another big game goal I'm hearing? 🔥<br><br>🔵 1-0 ⚪️ | <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ManCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManCity</a> <a href="https://t.co/UIq5JGymPG">pic.twitter.com/UIq5JGymPG</a></p>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://x.com/ManCity/status/1519030863635402759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Not another one?

<p>That might just be the fastest goal ever in a Champions League semi-final. 94 seconds? 95? Either way, it's far too fast for Real Madrid.</p><p>But Manchester City have shot out of the gates. They look in the mood for business.</p><p>Is this the grandest of European nights they have always threatened under Pep Guardiola? We'll find out soon enough.</p>

Speed kings?

<p>WHAT A START FROM MANCHESTER CITY!</p><p>The Citizens are up by one with barely two minutes on the clock, to place a fast sucker punch straight to the heart of Real Madrid.</p><p>Riyad Mahrez dinks superbly around the edge of the box and floats a beautiful ball in off the right. Kevin De Bruyne plants a superb header, low and diving, to tuck it in at the far post.</p>

GOAL: Man City 1-0 Madrid

<p>The Champions League anthem has concluded, the captains have shaken hands, Pep Guardiola has done a spot of European black magic. (One of those is false. Probably.)</p><p>It's semi-final time at the Etihad Stadium, between Manchester City and Real Madrid. It doesn't get better than this.</p><p>Here we go!</p>

KO: Man City vs Madrid

<p>...and here comes the UEFA Champions League Anthem too.</p><p>It's sad to think after today, we'll only hear it four more times this season. Alas, these are the moments to cherish.</p>

Here come the teams...

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Eyes on the prize 👁<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ManCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManCity</a> <a href="https://t.co/mH3rolqW41">pic.twitter.com/mH3rolqW41</a></p>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://x.com/ManCity/status/1519015877701775360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Almost time...

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Momentum building 📈<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ManCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManCity</a> <a href="https://t.co/aYJQNHEKYQ">pic.twitter.com/aYJQNHEKYQ</a></p>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://x.com/ManCity/status/1519023945776828418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Put through the paces

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">7 - This will be the seventh meeting between Manchester City and Real Madrid in European competition, each in the Champions League; after failing to win the first four (D2 L2), the Citizens won both legs in the round of 16 against Real in this competition in 2019-20. Rematch.</p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://x.com/OptaJoe/status/1519017578814967809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Lucky seven?

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">TEAM NEWS 📋💙<br><br>XI | Ederson, Stones, Dias (C), Laporte, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Mahrez, Foden, Jesus<br><br>SUBS | Steffen, Carson, Ake, Sterling, Gundogan, Grealish, Fernandinho, Egan-Riley, Mbete, Palmer, McAtee, Lavia<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ManCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManCity</a> <a href="https://t.co/9mNWYwXigB">pic.twitter.com/9mNWYwXigB</a></p>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://x.com/ManCity/status/1519009615320649731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜 🆚 <a href="https://x.com/ManCity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ManCity</a>! <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/RL3F5C7lDx">pic.twitter.com/RL3F5C7lDx</a></p>— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) <a href="https://x.com/realmadriden/status/1519000106267254790?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Lineups: Man City v Madrid

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🤩✨ <a href="https://x.com/David_Alaba?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@David_Alaba</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/IBhhUq6o0y">pic.twitter.com/IBhhUq6o0y</a></p>— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) <a href="https://x.com/realmadriden/status/1519017381191897103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Who's got the drip?

Prize fighters

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">600 - Karim <a href="https://x.com/Benzema?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Benzema</a> 🇫🇷 will make his 600th appearance for <a href="https://x.com/realmadriden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realmadriden</a> in all competitions (318 goals and 140 assists), becoming the eighth player to reach this milestone in club’s history and the first non-Spanish to do so. Legend. <a href="https://t.co/FXwbPOENQT">pic.twitter.com/FXwbPOENQT</a></p>— OptaJose (@OptaJose) <a href="https://x.com/OptaJose/status/1519013777164980225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Sextet Century

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">6- Pep Guardiola 🇪🇸 (W4) &amp; Carlo Ancelotti 🇮🇹 (W2) have faced each other on 6 previous occasions as opposing managers. The Italian’s two wins came in the <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> Semifinals in 2013-14, with his Real Madrid side beating FC Bayern 5-0 on aggregate.Ships<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ManchesterCityRealMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManchesterCityRealMadrid</a> 🤍💜 <a href="https://t.co/C8yWM5joDp">pic.twitter.com/C8yWM5joDp</a></p>— OptaJose (@OptaJose) <a href="https://x.com/OptaJose/status/1518960547026329600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Battle on!

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let's do this 👊<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ManCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManCity</a> <a href="https://t.co/zxycVMFQLH">pic.twitter.com/zxycVMFQLH</a></p>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://x.com/ManCity/status/1519011506716880897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Get ready to rumble

<p>So, the teams are in - and it's time to place your bets.</p><p>Tell us - who is coming out on top in the first leg? Will Manchester City triumph on home turf? Or can Real Madrid make their magic work on the road again?</p><p>Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Who's winning this one?

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">TEAM NEWS 📋💙<br><br>XI | Ederson, Stones, Dias (C), Laporte, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Mahrez, Foden, Jesus<br><br>SUBS | Steffen, Carson, Ake, Sterling, Gundogan, Grealish, Fernandinho, Egan-Riley, Mbete, Palmer, McAtee, Lavia<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ManCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManCity</a> <a href="https://t.co/9mNWYwXigB">pic.twitter.com/9mNWYwXigB</a></p>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://x.com/ManCity/status/1519009615320649731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Team News: Man City

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">15 - Toni Kroos is set to make his 15th appearance in a Champions League semi-final match, equalling the record for a German player, held by Thomas Müller; Kroos has started in each of those 15 games (Müller started 11). Regular. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/MCIRMA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCIRMA</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZxLLEqWAlI">pic.twitter.com/ZxLLEqWAlI</a></p>— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) <a href="https://x.com/OptaFranz/status/1519006396792160256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Kroos the man?

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🗣️  HERE 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐓! 🗣️ <br>🔜 <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/LrF3C7cHPw">pic.twitter.com/LrF3C7cHPw</a></p>— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) <a href="https://x.com/realmadriden/status/1518953048470478849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Mad fer it

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nights under the lights! 🤩🌅<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/ManCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManCity</a> <a href="https://t.co/7q0ivJnP1D">pic.twitter.com/7q0ivJnP1D</a></p>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://x.com/ManCity/status/1518998344860905473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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How's the weather?

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Champions League semi-final week mood 🤩 <a href="https://t.co/ceuJkuvi3p">pic.twitter.com/ceuJkuvi3p</a></p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://x.com/goal/status/1518996545173131267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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In the mood...

<p>Both sides have seen their share of drama to get here - one more than the other, it must be said.</p><p>Manchester City emerged as Group A winners and made destructive work of Sporting CP in the last-16, before a taut two-legged tussle with Atletico Madrid saw them grind their way through to the semis.</p><p>Real Madrid meanwhile stunned Paris Saint-Germain off the canvas to reach the quarter-finals, where they almost blew it against Chelsea in a truly remarkable tie.</p><p>More of the same today?</p>

Road to the semis

<p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜 🆚 <a href="https://x.com/ManCity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ManCity</a>! <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/RL3F5C7lDx">pic.twitter.com/RL3F5C7lDx</a></p>— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) <a href="https://x.com/realmadriden/status/1519000106267254790?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Team News: Real Madrid

<p>Nothing quite like the latter stages of European competition, is there? And the four sides who have made it this far have certainly earned their place.</p><p>Tonight, it's the two sides who sit top of the pile in their domestic leagues. In the blue corner, Manchester City are looking to go one step further after last year's heartbreak, driven by the ghosts of Portugal.</p><p>And in the white corner, it's Real Madrid - long-term kings of the Champions League, but seeking to get back into the swing of things after three years without a final.</p>

And then there were four...

<p>Hello and welcome to <strong>GOAL Matchday Live</strong> - our rolling blog coverage of all the biggest beats and hottest games across Europe tonight!</p><p>But there can only be one - yes, it is UEFA Champions League semi-final action time once again! It comes around quicker every year.</p><p>Two Premier League sides. Two clubs from La Liga. The prospect of an all-English affair in the final - or an all-Spanish one too.</p><p>It really doesn't get more delicious than this, does it? Strap in - we're getting ready to rock.</p>

🎉 ⚽️ Welcome to GOAL Matchday Live! ⚽️ 🎉

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Matchday LIVE: Manchester City host Real Madrid in UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg | Goal.com United Arab Emirates

Follow all the news and updates as Man City host Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg