Overview
- Rodrygo put Real Madrid ahead before Nico O'Reilly equalised and Erling Haaland converted a first‑half penalty after a VAR review.
- An earlier Real penalty award was overturned by VAR when replays showed the contact occurred outside the area.
- City climbed to fourth in the league‑phase table, strengthening their push to finish in the top eight and avoid the play‑off round.
- Reports of job jeopardy around Xabi Alonso intensified after a run of two wins in eight across competitions and this home defeat.
- Kylian Mbappé was left on the bench for fitness reasons, while Pep Guardiola named an unchanged XI with John Stones, Rodri and Mateo Kovacic unavailable.