De Bruyne out of Haaland’s shadow, delivers again in Madrid

MADRID: Kevin De Bruyne’s shot flew like a missile, skimming just above the turf in a trajectory not dissimilar to Carlos Alberto’s glorious goal for Brazil in the 1970 World Cup final.

Of course, this was no title match for Manchester City — it was the first leg of the Champions League semifinals — but with the eyes of the world on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, it sure felt like one.

Who else, then, should step up but De Bruyne, the man who delivers for City on the big occasion time and again.

The Belgium playmaker looked to the sky and raised both his arms before performing a rare knee slide after his long-range equalizer for City in the 1-1 draw against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

De Bruyne knew how significant the goal was. How good it was, too.

He is making a habit of it.

City have played Real Madrid in the Champions League’s knockout stage in three of the last four seasons, and De Bruyne has scored each time. And against Atletico Madrid last year, City won 1-0 after two fiery matches in the quarterfinals and it was De Bruyne with the only goal.

His goals in the final stretch of this season, as City chase the Premier League-Champions League-FA Cup treble, have come against Liverpool, Arsenal (two goals) and now Madrid.

In only one of his last eight games has De Bruyne not scored or had an assist.

Erling Haaland has earned most of the plaudits of late because of a scoring record not seen in the modern era in English soccer, but underpinning it all is De Bruyne with his artistry and creative genius.

Maybe this is the season when De Bruyne gets his career-defining moment in the Champions League.

Until now, the indelible image of him in the competition is from the 2021 final, when he staggered off the field