Sports Correspondent

Manchester City’s Champions League ambitions are hanging in the balance after a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of their play-off tie.

Despite Erling Haaland’s double, including a late penalty, City’s collapse in the final moments allowed Madrid to snatch victory.

Kylian Mbappe had equalized for Madrid on the hour, before Haaland restored City’s lead from the spot. However, Brahim Diaz scored against his former club with a rebound effort, and Jude Bellingham sealed the win with a stoppage-time strike.

Madrid’s victory was largely due to City’s self-inflicted errors, as they surrendered possession and failed to see out the game. Ederson’s inability to parry the ball away from goal and Rico Lewis’s failure to hold off Vinicius Junior proved costly.

The defeat leaves City facing an uphill task to progress, with the second leg still to come.

While there is still hope, City’s susceptibility to conceding goals in quick succession will be a major concern for manager Pep Guardiola.