Man City Vs Real Madrid Live Score, UEFA Champions League: A Look Into The Match-Up's History; A New European Rivalry

The rivalry began in the 2012/13 group stages. In their very first meeting, a late Cristiano Ronaldo winner secured a 3-2 victory for Madrid at the Bernabéu. Four years later, they met in the 2015/16 semi-finals; a cagey affair that was decided by a single Fernando own goal in Spain, sending Real Madrid to the final.

Since 2020, this fixture has become a staple of the knockout rounds, defined by high-scoring drama and tactical masterclasses between Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti.

In 2020, Round of 16, City secured their first-ever competitive win over Madrid, winning both legs 2-1 to advance 4-2 on aggregate.

The semi-final is 2022, widely regarded as one of the greatest ties in history. After City won a 4-3 thriller in Manchester, they led 1-0 in Madrid until the 90th minute. Two stoppage-time goals from Rodrygo forced extra time, where Karim Benzema sealed a legendary 6-5 aggregate comeback for Real.

In semi-final of 2023, City exacted revenge with a ruthless 4-0 win at the Etihad (5-1 aggregate) on their way to winning their first-ever Champions League title.

In 2024 quarter-final, after a spectacular 3-3 draw in Madrid, the tie went to penalties in Manchester. Real Madrid triumphed 4-3 in the shootout after a masterclass in defensive survival.

In 2025 play-off clash, Madrid asserted dominance again, winning 3-2 at the Etihad and 3-1 at the Bernabeu to advance 6-3 on aggregate.

Real Madrid and Manchester City faced off for the first time in the UEFA Champions League on September 18, 2012.

The match was a Group D fixture held at the Santiago Bernabéu and is remembered as an all-time classic that finished 3-2 in favor of Real Madrid. All five goals were scored in a frantic second half

The two sides met again later that year on November 21, 2012, at the Etihad Stadium. That match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Sergio Aguero scoring a penalty to cancel out Karim Benzema’s early goal. City eventually finished bottom of that group, while Real Madrid progressed alongside Borussia Dortmund.

In the first leg of the Round of 16 on March 11, 2026, Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu. The match was defined by a historic individual performance from Real Madrid captain Federico Valverde, who scored the first hat-trick of his professional career in just 22 minutes during the first half.

Valverde opened the scoring after a massive long-range assist from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Valverde controlled the ball, rounded City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, and finished from a tight angle. Valverde doubled the lead by latching onto a low, outside-of-the-foot pass from Vinicius Jr and firing a clinical strike into the far corner.

The Uruguayan completed his hat-trick with the goal of the night, a brilliant flick over City defender Marc Guehi followed by a powerful volley.

Real Madrid achieved this dominant result despite missing several key players due to injury, including Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo. For Manchester City, the result was a significant blow, with Erling Haaland being kept quiet throughout the match.

In the other matches of UEFA Champions League 2025-26. Sporting CP take on Bodo/Glimt, Arsenal visit Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea host PSG. Check the live score of all the UCL 2025-26 round of 16 second leg matches.

• Fixture: Manchester City vs Real Madrid

• Series: UEFA Champions League 2025-26

• Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

• Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

• Time: 01:30 PM IST

Hello, football fans! This is the start of our live blog covering Real Madrid’s trip to Manchester to face Man City in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 match. Stay tuned for pre-match updates and line-ups as they are announced.