By JACK GAUGHAN
Published: 17:26 EST, 10 December 2025 | Updated: 17:39 EST, 10 December 2025
Manchester City increased pressure on Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso after coming from behind to earn a 2-1 victory in the Champions League at the Bernabeu.
Alonso had come into the match amid claims in Spain that his job was at risk if Real Madrid suffered defeat, with their task made all the harder with Kylian Mbappe unable to feature from the bench due to injury.
The pressure looked like it might ease when Rodyrgo put the hosts ahead in the first half, firing in following a pass from Jude Bellingham in the 28th minute.
Real Madrid's advantage proved a short-lived one as Thibaut Courtois could only palm a Josko Gvardiol header into the path of Nico O'Reilly from a corner, with Man City defender brining his side level.
The turnaround was complete before half-time after Antonio Rudiger was adjudged to have pulled down Erling Haaland in the box. Haaland picked himself up to convert the resutling penalty.
Man City held off late Real Madrid pressure in the second half to earn a victory that lifts Pep Guardiola's side to fourth in the league phase. Daily Mail Sport's Jack Gaughan rates the players from both sides.
Nico O'Reilly opened the scoring from close range with his first Champions League goal
Erling Haaland scored from the spot after he was pulled down in the box by Antonio Rudiger
Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois - 5
Horrendous mistake for Manchester City’s equaliser, shovelling Josko Gvardiol’s header into danger. Did make some decent stops after.
Federico Valverde – 5.5
Doesn’t want to play right back and cut a very frustrated figure. A wild, and embarrassing, lunge at Jeremy Doku spoke to that.
Raul Asencio – 5.5
More occupied with having a scrap – verbal and physical – with Erling Haaland than defending.
Antonio Rudiger – 5.5
Not his finest first half, perhaps not strong enough in the air for the equaliser and then bundled over Haaland for the penalty.
Rudiger did not have his finest first half, with the defender bundling Haaland over for a penalty
Alvaro Carreras – 7
Very strong display by the Manchester United academy product. Instrumental in the opener and looks at home on this stage.
Dani Ceballos – 5.5
Very quiet evening. Kept things ticking but never really impacted proceedings in any meaningful way.
Aurelien Tchouameni - 6
Often caught in two minds positionally. Did attempt to drive Real forward from the middle of midfield.
Jude Bellingham - 5
Not his finest display. Missed a very presentable opportunity and gave away way too much possession, statistically far more than any other midfielder.
Jude Bellingham missed a very presentable chance and gave away too much possession
Rodrygo was electric on Real Madrid's right side and scored his first goal in 32 matches
Rodrygo – 7.5
Electric on Real’s right, swung in a very dangerous cross before scoring the first goal of the night – his first in 32 games.
Gonzalo Garcia – 4.5
Completely anonymous and probably too much of an ask for somebody who has made just one La Liga start.
Vinicius Junior – 5.5
His night ended up being about missed chances and frustration. Chances at the start and at the end.
Subs
Arda Guler (for Gonzalo, 58) – 7
Brahim Diaz (for Ceballos, 58) – 6.5
Endrick (for Asencio, 79)
Manchester City
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 5.5
Should do much better for Rodrygo’s goal – the shot going across him – and badly misjudged a couple of crosses.
Matheus Nunes – 7
Dealt with Vinicius as best he could and probably feels he came out on top. Menacing going forward when given the chance.
Ruben Dias – 7
Good organising and one huge last-ditch tackle before half time. Important unseen pep talk for Nico Gonzalez that calmed the midfielder too.
Josko Gvardiol – 8
Bad mistake in giving the ball away for an early overturned penalty but settled and consistently stood up to what was thrown at him. Colossal late on.
Josko Gvardiol was colossal late on for Man City as they held onto their lead at the Bernabeu
O'Reilly had some very bright moments, which were balanced out by shaky defensive decisions
Nico Gonzalez's individual performance was exemplary, despite the system leaving him exposed on the break
Nico O’Reilly – 7
Jonny on the spot for the equaliser. Up and down night, some very bright moments balanced by shaky defensive decisions. He’ll grow from the experience.
Bernardo Silva – 7
Whether right wing or central midfielder, Silva never stopped running. Invaluable contribution positionally.
Nico Gonzalez – 7.5
Needed more help and was exposed when Real broke but while the system wasn’t his friend, the Spaniard’s individual performance was exemplary.
Rayan Cherki - 7
Offered Nunes more protection as the game went on. Might have made more of some chances on the counter attack.
Phil Foden – 6.5
A nightmare to mark. Tchouameni never really knew whether to drop or not with Foden in the pockets.
Jeremy Doku was a box of tricks for Man City and often hauled the team up the pitch
Haaland was barely in the match until winning and scoring their penalty to give them the lead
Jeremy Doku – 7.5
One of those nights. Frightening and a box of tricks and while lacking end product, he so often hauled City up the pitch.
Erling Haaland - 6
Barely in the game for 40 minutes, then wins the foul for the penalty and scores. Became more involved thereafter.
Subs
Omar Marmoush (for Haaland, 70) - 6
Tijjani Reijnders (for Foden, 70) - 6
Savinho (for Cherki, 71) - 6
Nathan Ake (for Doku, 88)