Manchester City came from behind to heap the pressure on Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso with a stunning 2-1 win at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Nico O'Reilly and Erling Haaland -- with his 51st goal from his 50th Champions League start -- were on target as Pep Guardiola's side got their European campaign back on track following last month's shock loss to Bayer Leverkusen.
Both goals came in the final 10 minutes of the first half -- Haaland's from the penalty spot -- as City replied to Rodrygo's 28th-minute opener in an exhilarating contest.
Madrid had a number of chances to level but, with forward talisman Kylian Mbappé looking on from the bench injured, they were unable to take any of them.
Coming after Saturday's dismal loss to Celta Vigo, it was a second defeat in quick succession for Madrid and a potentially decisive blow for under-fire manager Alonso's job.
His side fought to the end, but the whistles at full-time made the scale of frustration clear.
Follow all the post-match reaction here:
- Xabi Alonso on Madrid sack talk: 'I still have players' support'
- Once his mentor, could Guardiola spell Alonso's end in Madrid?
- Man City have a history of overtaking Arsenal; can the Gunners hold their nerve?
