Nico O'Reilly expressed his delight after scoring in the UEFA Champions League for the first time to inspire our 2-1 comeback victory over Real Madrid.
[Manchester City players in green jerseys celebrating a goal during a match. The jersey displays the Etihad Airways logo, with number 27 on one player. Faces are blurred.
Match Report
City hit back to win Champions League thriller at Real Madrid](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/real-madrid-v-city-champions-league-10-december-63900990)
The Santiago Bernabeu erupted just before the half-hour mark as Rodrygo fired the hosts ahead into the bottom left corner but O’Reilly struck back 10 minutes prior to the interval, finishing instinctively from close-range after Thibaut Courtois parried Josko Gvardiol’s header.
Two minutes before the break, we completed the comeback with Erling Haaland stroking in his 55th Champions League goal from the penalty spot after being fouled by Antonio Rudiger.
GALLERY: O’REILLY ON TARGET IN MADRID!
Jude Bellingham dinked over in the second-half, before Endrick’s header struck the bar as the hosts pushed for a leveller, whilst Jeremy Doku was denied expertly by Courtois as we threatened to extend our lead in a goalless second-half.
“Very special, over the moon with it,” said O’Reilly in an interview after the game about his goal.
“This goal will be with me forever. The most important thing was the three points and that’s what we got. Erling’s been giving me a few tips!
“It’s such a good feeling. What an atmosphere it is and what a stadium it is, it’s so tough to come and play here.
“We got three points, that’s the most important thing. I’m loving it, taking it all in my stride. Every game as it comes, working hard every session, I’m enjoying it and I’m loving it.
“The first few minutes I was a bit slow, I could have stopped the first goal, but I made up for it in the end.”
The victory takes us to 13 points in six League Phase matches, meaning our top-eight hopes remain in our own hands with two games left to play.
O’Reilly believes that the spirit and fight shown in Madrid compliments our current impressive form across all competitions.
“We know how good Real Madrid are. The history we’ve had, we’ve played them over the last few seasons. They’re so good.
“So playing here and winning shows how good we are playing at the minute and the form we’re on.”