Champions League: Man City and Real Madrid square off

Manchester City and Real Madrid played out a thrilling 4-3 first-leg semifinal clash, with seven goals, one an outrageous penalty, plenty of chances, and superb performances.

It was a match that will go down in history as a Champions League classic.

Football fans drooled on social media as Real recovered from a 2-0 deficit to keep the tie alive for the return leg in Madrid.

“The game has just begun,” Real Madrid goalkeeper Karim Benzema said on social media after the game.

“It was a terrific game of football as a football fan,” Real manager Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

“As Madrid’s manager, I must consider the fact that we… surrendered two goals extremely early. But we’re going to the Bernabeu with three goals. We are now hoping to make it to the final.”

After only 94 seconds, City took the lead thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s spectacular diving header.

When Gabriel Jesus spun inside the box to double Real’s advantage in the 11th minute, it appeared that Real was in for a difficult evening.

The 13-time winner, most successful club in Champions League history, had never allowed two goals in the league before.

City, seeking to win the Champions League for the first time, was spectacular and should have gone 3-0 up, but Pep Guardiola’s squad was unable to convert great chances, and Real hit back, with Benzema directing the ball into the bottom corner to lessen the deficit before halftime.

City struck again eight minutes later, with Phil Foden nodding in from Fernandinho’s cross before Vinicius Jr. produced a fantastic goal to make it 3-2.

However, more goals and drama were on the way.

Bernardo Silva beat Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a blistering strike into the top corner in the 74th minute, then Benzema scored his second of the night — a penalty that will be replayed multiple times.

With eight minutes remaining, Aymeric Laporte was penalized for handling inside the area, and Benzema stepped up with a ‘Panenka’ — a chipped penalty down the middle.

The Frenchman had missed two penalties in Real’s La Liga triumph against Osasuna six days prior, so to attempt such a spot-kick in such a tense circumstance was remarkable.

Former England striker Alan Shearer stated: “All I can do is laugh and say, ‘I can’t believe Karim Benzema just did that’… The arrogance! It was amazing.”

It was a fitting way to cap off a memorable evening.

“It was an excellent game for both teams. We accomplished a lot of good.”

“Unfortunately, we conceded goals and were unable to score any more. But it’s only two games, and we have another one coming up in a week “, Guardiola stated to reporters.