Kevin De Bruyne struck a stunning equaliser as Manchester City claimed a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
The Belgian cancelled out an equally brilliant first-half effort from Vinicius Junior when he fired past international team-mate Thibaut Courtois from the edge of the area after 67 minutes in the Bernabeu Stadium.
Treble-chasing City had dominated a lot of the early play but holders Real drew first blood in a tense battle when Vinicius lashed home from 25 yards after 36 minutes.
The result leaves the tie delicately poised ahead of next week’s return clash at the Etihad Stadium.
City came into the fixture looking to avenge their loss to Real at the same stage last year and were not fazed by their return to the scene of their late capitulation in that tie.
They started strongly, controlling possession in their usual confident manner and patiently looking to carve out opportunities.
When the chances came they initially found Courtois in defiant mood.
The former Chelsea number one saved well from De Bruyne before pushing away a Rodri effort and twice denying Erling Haaland.
Real rarely got out of their own half early on but they did serve warning of their threat when Vinicius broke and centred for Karim Benzema but the Frenchman failed to control.
As the first half wore on the hosts grew into the game and Ederson needed to be alert to prevent Benzema reaching a Rodrygo through-ball.
The hosts snatched the lead after Eduardo Camavinga combined with Luka Modric and then played Vinicius through. The Brazilian sped onto the ball and unleashed a ferocious drive which flew past Ederson.
City did not panic in response but Real then began testing their patience.
Jack Grealish had come in for some rough treatment from Dani Carvajal since the start and things threatened to get out of hand when the Spaniard barged the City midfielder into the advertising hoardings.
When Carvajal held out an arm to help the Englishman up, Grealish attempted to push him away and Carvajal flung himself to the ground theatrically.
Portuguese referee Artur Dias let that incident go but did get out his yellow card soon after when Toni Kroos fouled Ilkay Gundogan after one of several skirmishes between the Germany team-mates.
City manager Pep Guardiola was far from happy with the officials as the first half drew to a close and Real’s spoiling tactics continued after the break.
City tried to avoid the distractions and went close again when De Bruyne broke clear but Courtois stuck out a hand to save at close range. David Alaba produced a fine tackle to prevent Haaland shooting.
The visitors had to do some defending too and they conceded a succession of corners before Federico Valverde shot narrowly over.
Yet City were not flustered and they equalised in the 67th minute with a superb strike from De Bruyne.
This time Courtois had no chance as De Bruyne fired into the bottom corner from just outside the area.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti was booked amid some commotion on the touchline as De Bruyne celebrated.
Real finished strongly and Ederson produced fine saves to keep out a header from Benzema and a long-range shot from Aurelien Tchouameni.
Hearts and Hibernian given SFA notice of complaint after incident at Tynecastle
Hearts and Hibernian have been served with a notice of complaint by the Scottish Football Association after disorder among their players and staff at the end of last weekend’s fiery Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle.
At full-time, following a clash that ended 1-1, two skirmishes erupted on the pitch, one directly in front of the two technical areas and another just moments afterwards in the centre circle.
Hearts goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher and substitute shot-stopper Ross Stewart as well as Hibs manager Lee Johnson and unused substitute Rocky Bushiri were all shown red cards for their part in the post-match chaos.
And on Friday it emerged that the two clubs have been charged, alleged to have breached disciplinary rule 204, which states that: “All clubs and recognised football bodies shall procure that its officials, team staff, employees and players conduct themselves in an orderly fashion at all times during and/or after a match.
“In particular, clubs and recognised football bodies are responsible for ensuring that its officials, team staff, employees and players refrain from any one or a combination of the following: (a) becoming involved in a confrontation; b) conduct that is likely to lead to or to exacerbate or prolong a hostile or argumentative situation with players and/or team staff from the opposing team and/or match officials; (c) conduct that may otherwise incite disorder.”
The hearing for both clubs is due to take place on June 29.
Tony Docherty delighted to bring experienced defender Joe Shaughnessy to Dundee
Tony Docherty has secured his first signing as Dundee manager after Joe Shaughnessy pledged to join the cinch Championship title winners.
The former Aberdeen, Southend and St Johnstone defender will join Dundee when his St Mirren contract expires next week.
Docherty told his club’s website: “I worked with Joe as a young player at Aberdeen and he is the type of person I want at this football club.
“I know what I’m getting with Joe. He has a great work ethic and attitude. He has great experience of the league having captained both St Mirren and St Johnstone.
“There was a lot of competition from other clubs to get him, so I’m delighted he has chosen to sign for us.”
The Irish defender had an offer to stay in Paisley but opted to move on.
The 30-year-old said: “I am really excited to get started at Dundee and work with the manager again. I’ve had positive chats with him over the last few days and I can’t wait to get in for the first day of pre-season and get started.”
Lee Ashcroft and Harrison Sharp earlier signed two-year contracts to stay on at Dens Park.
“I have loved my three years at the club so far and am looking forward to hopefully a successful season in the top division after winning the league last year,” 29-year-old former Kilmarnock and Dunfermline defender Ashcroft said.
Goalkeeper Sharp made 14 appearances last season, seven of them in the league.
The 22-year-old said: “I thoroughly enjoyed last season and some of the memories that we made as a squad are memories that will last forever, and now I can’t wait to be back playing in the league where we belong.”
The pair follow goalkeeper Adam Legzdins, long-serving full-back Cammy Kerr and homegrown midfielder Lyall Cameron in agreeing to stay since promotion was secured early last month.
The Dark Blues announced earlier this week that Alex Jakubiak, Jordan Marshall, Paul McMullan, Luke Strachan, Paul McGowan and Cillian Sheridan had not been offered new contracts.
Jonatan Giraldez: Barcelona’s experience will be vital in Champions League final
Barcelona boss Jonatan Giraldez believes experience will be key in the Women’s Champions League final against Wolfsburg.
The teams face off in Eindhoven on Saturday with Barca going for a second title and Wolfsburg a third.
Barca have won one – in 2021 – and lost two – in 2019 and last year – of the finals they have played.
Wolfsburg have been beaten finalists three times, most recently in 2020, and won the competition in 2013 and 2014.
Giraldez said: “Experience is one of the most important things and that goes for all areas of life. The more experience you have the better you will do.
“That doesn’t just go for Barcelona but also national teams. The more finals you have played in the better you know how to approach the week leading up to it, the match itself, mentally.
“All of that is important in football and sometimes you need time to gain that experience.”
Barca travelled to Eindhoven on Friday with a fully-fit squad after Lucy Bronze and Fridolina Rolfo were passed fit.
Giraldez added: “We need to minimise their strengths. We will be wary of their quick attacks and set-pieces. We want to dominate the game and not let them show their strengths.”
Wolfsburg finished second to Bayern Munich in the Frauen-Bundesliga this season and boss Tommy Stroot believes they can capture the title in Holland.
He said: “It is a realistic objective, I have made so many positive experiences. This final is very special for me and it’s always been an objective.
“It’s always the same thing for us, to decode the structure, to see what kind of frequencies they use. That is our daily work and my players know that as well.
“It’s a final but it’s no different to the semi-final against Arsenal. We try to watch even more games and decode even more things just to be prepared for every scenario possible.
“Our players are ready. It’s something special, not many teams have that privilege in a final. We have all the options to react on anything.”
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