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All to play for after Champions League thrillers

2024-04-10 HKT 08:20
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  • Josko Gvardiol scored City's second, his first goal for the club. Photo: Reuters
    Josko Gvardiol scored City's second, his first goal for the club. Photo: Reuters
Real Madrid and Champions League holders Manchester City shared a pulsating 3-3 draw in a rollercoaster quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, while Arsenal rescued a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich.

Bernardo Silva put City ahead with a low free-kick but Ruben Dias' own goal and Rodrygo helped Madrid dramatically and swiftly fight back.

Manchester City's own quick-fire double in the second half through Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol stunned the record 14-time winners, but they snatched a draw through Fede Valverde's scorching volley.

The thrilling match was played in the shadow of a threat by the Islamic State group to target every quarter-final first leg, with a heavy security presence around the Santiago Bernabeu.

Spanish officials said 2,000 police were to be deployed, but the match was played without incident off the field. On it, there was plenty under the closed stadium roof, which produced a thunderous atmosphere.

"I think it was a really good, entertaining game, [it] dignified this competition," said Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola.

His Madrid counterpart Carlo Ancelotti agreed.

"I said yesterday, with all the quality we see on the pitch, of course it will be a fantastic game," said the Italian.

Leandro Trossard's late leveller stopped Harry Kane making a triumphant return to north London in Arsenal and Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Trossard came off the bench to equalise in the closing stages at the Emirates Stadium after former Tottenham striker Kane put Bayern 2-1 ahead with a first-half penalty.

Arsenal had taken an early lead through Bukayo Saka before former Gunners winger Serge Gnabry put Bayern back on level terms.

When Kane bagged his sixth career goal at the Emirates – and his 39th in all competitions in his first season with Bayern – it seemed the England captain would have the last laugh.

But Trossard's dramatic intervention leaves the tie delicately poised ahead of the second leg in Munich on April 17. (AFP)

All to play for after Champions League thrillers