Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League action was nothing short of phenomenal, with both quarter-final first legs producing a goal-feast for the fans.
The Santiago Bernabéu witnessed a classic encounter as Real Madrid and Manchester City played out a thrilling 3-3 draw, while the Arsenal Stadium saw another high-scoring stalemate, with Arsenal and Bayern Munich sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
Manchester City twice led in the Spanish capital but couldn’t hold on to claim a vital away victory at the Bernabéu.
Bernardo Silva gave the Cityzens an early lead on the 2nd minute but goals from Camavinga and Rodrygo Goes on the 12th and 14th minutes respectively gave the Los Blancos a 2-1 lead at half time.
Man City fought back in the second half, two quick fire goals from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol gave them the lead for the second time in the game at 3-2.
In the 79th minute, Valverde found himself on the end of a Vinicius Jnr cross to fire in Madrid’s second equalizer of the night to peck the game at 3-3.
Elsewhere at the Arsenal Stadium, another entertaining draw was played between Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for the Gunners on the 12th minute after a series of defensive blunders from the away side.
Arsenal’s lead however, lasted for only six minutes as the Bavarians drew parity through former Arsenal academy graduate, Serge Gnabry on the 18th minute.
Bayern Munich went into the break ahead thanks to a penalty that was expertly dispatched by England international, Harry Kane.
Arsenal pushed for the equalizer by creating numerous goal scoring chances. Their effort was rewarded in the 76th when substitute, Leandro Trossard turned in a square pass from Gabriel Jesus to tie the game at 2-2.
In the final minute of added time, Arsenal with a late charge for the winner had Bukayo Saka run past Manuel Neuer whose outstretched leg seemed to have caught the trailing leg of the Arsenal attacker but referee Nyberg from Sweden had none of it and waved for play on. That was the last action as he blew the whistle to end the game.
Today’s fixtures served fans a thrilling night of attacking football where a total of ten goals were scored in both games.
For the neutrals, it was pure entertainment as they watched the goals flow from one end to the other.
With the away goal rule no longer in use, there’s all to play for, for these teams in the return legs next week in Manchester and Munich respectively.