Head to Head
The two most renowned clubs in the world, Real Madrid and Manchester City have not clashed so many times but when they did it was no less of a spectacle. The juggernauts of their respective countries have met with each other six times (excluding friendly games), all coming in the UEFA Champions League. A total of 14 goals had been scored in those meetings. Each club has 2 victories each with the other two endings in a draw.
Five Best Matches:
There hasn't been a big number of games between these sides so pretty much every clash makes it into this list. Some were tight, some juicy ones while others presented end to end stuff. All of these showed the true quality and power of Real Madrid and Manchester City on European football's grandest stage.
5. Real Madrid 1-0 Manchester City (04 May 2016)
In the second leg of the Champions League semi final tie, Los Blancos came out on top through an own goal from Fernando, deflecting Gareth Bale's strike into his net. After a 0-0 draw at Etihad, the English giants needed an away goal at Santiago Bernabeu to progress. However, they conceded this goal to end all their dreams. It doesn't mean Manchester City were unlucky to prevail to the showpiece final. Real Madrid bossed them over the two legs with only miraculous gloves from Joe Hart keeping City in the tie. Welsh winger Gareth Bale was pretty alive in this game. He also hit the crossbar late in the game. Fernandinho and Aguero went close for City but nothing stopped Real Madrid to go and claim their 11th Champions League crown by defeating Atletico Madrid on penalties in the final.
4. Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid (21 Nov 2012)
This was the second group stage game between the sides after a thrilling end to the one played in Santiago Bernabeu, two months back in 2012. This drama we will touch later in the article. Manchester City were in grave danger of getting eliminated from the group stage and it became real when both clubs clashed at the Etihad Stadium. As for most of the games, Real Madrid took a commendable lead through Karim Benzema. City defender Maicon completely lost the mark of the Frenchman as he met Angel Di Maria's cross in with ease. Cristiano Ronaldo had his attempt clear of the line with Sami Khedira missing three golden opportunities. Sergio Aguero then scored a penalty for the host deep into the second half after Alvaro Arbeloa was red-carded due to a foul in the box. It was too little too late for City at the end. Manchester City suffered an early exit by finishing rock bottom in the group.
3. Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City (26 Feb 2020)
City has faced disappointment in most of the trips they took to the Spanish capital.
However, a sheer class outing from Kevin De Bruyne confirmed Manchester City's supremacy this time out. Pep Guardiola's men came into this round of 16 fixture of the Champions League on the back of a less favorable team to advance tag but ultimately became victorious. It helped City to keep their European dreams alive for the season but their journey ended in the quarter-final stage. Talking about the game, City pushed Real Madrid back for large parts of the game but it was the home team that took the lead. An error in City's midfield resulted in a quick counter from Real Madrid with Isco finishing off the move. The equalizer came moments after with De Bruyne's cross allowing Gabriel Jesus to nod it past Courtois to make it 1-1. The Brazilian then earned a penalty out of Sergio Ramos, Real's captain dismissed by the referee for the foul, to allow the Belgian maestro to score the winning penalty.
2. 3. Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid (07 Aug 2020)
There was a postponement of the game and a shift in the date of the second leg at Etihad due to the coronavirus pandemic. Having pocketed two important away goals, it was no doubt Manchester City became the clear favorites to advance to the latter stages. They did it comfortably with Zidane's men handing them two gifted goals to make matter worse for them. Quite surprisingly, Raphael Varane was the defender at fault for those mistakes. He got robbed by Gabriel Jesus with the ball on his feet for the first goal. Subsequently under intense pressure from City, Raheem Sterling was able to score in an open net. Karim Benzema then restored prestige for the guests after a neat work done by Rodrygo on the far side. Real then threw their everything at City's net but Ederson stood firm. In the 68th minute mark, Varane became the villain of a miscued headed clearance that resulted in Gabriel Jesus scoring the eventual winner.
1. Real Madrid 3-2 Manchester City (18 Sept 2012)
We now come down to the best game of the lot between these sides. Before City faced a group stage elimination in the second outing, they were on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline at Santiago Bernabeu. Cristiano Ronaldo tested Joe Hart twice in the first half with the English Keeper pulling out spectacular saves. City then took the lead completely against the run of play. From a break, Yaya Toure played Edin Dzeko through with the Bosnian striker finishing smartly behind Iker Casillas, already committed to the wrong side. Next, Real got their dominance well paid with Marcelo's deflected strike deluding Joe Hart. Alexander Kolarov's ball-in from a free-kick sensationally went in to restore City's lead. Two minutes later, Karim Benzema found the back of the net before Ronaldo could finally get the better of Hart to hit the winner.
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