Euro giants Manchester City and Real Madrid scored crucial away wins in the first leg of their round of 16 Champions League matches.
England’s dominant team battered Copenhagen and an injury time goal from Phil Foden sealed a 3-1 win that should see them comfortably qualify and could also have imnplications for the Premier League title race.
Their return leg is sandwiched between tasty ties against Manchester United and Liverpool that will help decide the fate of the domestic title.
Kevin De Bruyne scored the opener and set up the second from Bernardo Silva which put City back in the front after a gift from Ederson saw Magnus Mattsson take full advantage with a fantastic strike.
“It’s tough. We’ve played here a couple of times and the atmosphere is great. We had to respect them,” said De Bruyne.
“We started really well. We made one mistake and they capitalised but I thought we played really well. We scored the third goal and it’s a little bit of an advantage now.
“We try to minimise the mistakes. The second half we dominated again. They changed to a back five but we still found the chances and did what we needed to do.
“I’m just trying to play good. It’s been a long five or six months but I’m just happy to be back, helping the team win games and be at my best.
“I feel alright. Obviously I still need a couple more games and minutes. I’ve not played 90 minutes for almost a year but I’m getting there, I’m feeling good and the level is good enough for the moment – so I’m happy.”
In Germany, Real Madrid had a tougher time before emerging with a 1-0 win over RB Leipzig through a stunning goal from Brahim Diaz.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made nine saves and was a central figure in a controversial moment when RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko had a goal controversially ruled out.
Sesko found the net with a header but the goal was ruled out for what appeared to be a slight nudge on Lunin.
RB Leipzig had 14 shots in total, including nine inside the box.
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/GgjhWZd big guns score key away wins to launch Champions League knock out stages
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