Manchester City drew 3-3 in a Champions League thriller against Real Madrid, which featured quality from two of the world’s most gifted teams. Bernardo Silva caught Andriy Lunin off guard with a free kick in the second minute, but Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo’s deflected efforts in the first half threw the Bernabeu into raptures. The hosts were surprised by two magnificent strikes from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol, before Federico Valverde responded with another fabulous volley to set up a thrilling return encounter at the Etihad. Express Sport breaks down the key talking topics, including a taunting celebration.

Phil Foden finishes the Jude Bellingham discussion

Both Foden and Jude Bellingham were offered central positions with lots of leeway as they vied with Gareth Southgate for an advanced role for England at Euro 2024.

Bellingham appeared to have won the Three Lions manager over, as Declan Rice and another midfielder were played most lately in the buildup to the tournament, but Foden’s recent form and tonight’s performance are tough to ignore.

Fortunately for Southgate, Bellingham has flourished in a deeper place at Borussia Dortmund and may have to sacrifice some offensive aspects of his game to accommodate Foden, with the City star’s wondergoal demonstrating the magic Foden can generate.

Pep Guardiola handed a fresh dilemma

Foden has once again demonstrated that he thrives in a central role, this time in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian missed out due to sickness, but if he had been available, the England star would have been forced to play out wide to accommodate his talents as a number 10.

But Guardiola can’t keep turning Foden away, and the moment has come for him and De Bruyne to play through the middle. The manager recently experimented with two attacking alternatives alongside Rodri against Crystal Palace, and while the Premier League run-in will not be viewed as an opportunity to tinker, both players in their preferred roles might propel City to even greater heights.

Jude Bellingham shows bite in Ruben Dias duel

Bellingham may consider himself fortunate not to be punished for the second game at the Etihad Stadium after biting back in his clash with City centre-back Ruben Dias.

The Portuguese defender smashed Bellingham in a devastating tackle on the half-way line in the first half, leaving the 20-year-old in a heap on the ground, but Bellingham was quick to avenge himself.

A few minutes later, Dias sent the ball to Manuel Akanji, and as the ball was headed towards its intended target, Bellingham came through Dias’ back, most likely to show the defense that he cannot be bossed around.

However, as one of four Madrid players who were a yellow card away from missing the second leg, Bellingham is fortunate that his elbow into Dias was not deemed an offense worthy of a warning.

Crafty Bernardo Silva

Without De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva took over as City’s captain, and with only 109 seconds on the clock, the Portuguese midfielder looked Lunin in the eyes, embarrassing Madrid’s goalkeeper.

After Jack Grealish won the visitors a free kick from 25 yards out, the Ukrainian goalkeeper only had Vinicius Jr in the wall. Lunin expected Silva, who was not on the optimum side for a left-footer, to loft the ball into the box for a cross.

However, Silva had a different idea and cleverly twisted his free-kick around Vinicius, leaving Lunin helpless to deny an opener goal and a dreadful start for the La Liga leaders.

Rodrygo taunts the city

Despite being 39 and playing football in Saudi Arabia, Manchester United great Cristiano Ronaldo managed to haunt City once more, this time through Rodrygo.

City fans will have witnessed the Portuguese forward evolve into one of the game’s greatest at Old Trafford, inspiring a new generation, including the man who scored Madrid’s second goal.

Rodrygo surged through before his deflected effort sailed past Stefan Ortega, and then he performed Ronaldo’s famed ‘Siu’ celebration, rubbing his goal in City’s face by taunting them through one of their rivals’ favorite sons.

Kyle Walker is much missed

Kyle Walker has frequently been Guardiola’s foil against the world’s best forwards. As frequently as City dazzles in possession, defence wins Champions Leagues, and Walker has excelled against the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr, as well as Ronaldo and Lionel Messi before them.

Without Walker’s pace, City struggled to maintain a high line, and his one-on-one defense was greatly missed.

As capable a defender as Akanji is, Madrid had success down his flank, and the right-back was unable to fill Walker’s shoes. City will be hoping the England defender can return in time for the second leg.