De Bruyne rocket leaves Man City and Madrid level

MADRID: Kevin De Bruyne’s brilliant drive earned Manchester City a 1-1 draw at Real Madrid in a gripping Champions League semifinal first leg battle on Tuesday. The Belgian slammed Pep Guardiola’s visitors level after Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for the reigning champions from distance in similarly spectacular fashion.

Madrid managed to completely shackle lethal striker Erling Haaland but De Bruyne’s powerful effort left the tie on a knife edge ahead of the second leg in Manchester next week. The record 14-time winners knocked City out at the same stage last season despite being outplayed in both games, and took the lead at the Santiago Bernabeu against the run of play.

However when Madrid found their stride in the second half, City — still chasing their first ever Champions League trophy — hit back through De Bruyne. “I don’t think anyone will feel stronger, it’s an open result, we knew it wasn’t going to end here, and the tie is 50-50,” Madrid midfielder Luka Modric told Movistar.

“When they had the ball, we were strong, we held our ground, after the goal we improved in pressing and on the ball, it’s a pity about their goal.” Guardiola selected Kyle Walker at right-back to combat the pacy threat of Real Madrid winger Vinicius, while Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti opted for Toni Kroos at the base of midfield. Rodrygo, who struck two late goals as a substitute last season against Manchester City to pave Madrid’s passage into the final, started after his Copa del Rey heroics on Saturday.

The visitors controlled much of the first half, with nearly 70 percent possession, but went in trailing at the break. Thibaut Courtois fielded an early barrage of shots from De Bruyne, Rodri and Haaland, as City dominated and Madrid