Over the past seven seasons, Real Madrid and Manchester City have faced each other six times in the UEFA Champions League, producing some of the most dramatic encounters in recent European football history. Calendar years may change, squads may evolve, yet this rivalry has remained a constant, almost a fixture in itself. Any season without a Real–City showdown now feels unusual.
Their first meeting occurred in the 2012–13 group stage, followed by a semi-final clash in 2015–16. However, the modern narrative of this rivalry truly began in the 2019–20 season, cementing Real vs City as one of Europe’s most thrilling duels.
A detailed review of the last six matches highlights the intensity, drama, and unexpected twists that define this fixture:
| Season | Stage | Aggregate Result | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Round of 16 | City 4–2 | First leg at the Bernabéu: Isco gave Real a 1–0 lead until Gabriel Jesus (78′) and Kevin De Bruyne (83′ pen) overturned it. Second leg at the Etihad: Sterling (9′) and Jesus (68′) secured City’s win, with Benzema briefly equalising. |
| 2021–22 | Semi-final | Real 6–5 | First leg at Etihad: City led 4–3 with goals from De Bruyne, Jesus, Foden, Vinícius and Bernardo. Second leg: Riyad Mahrez put City ahead 5–3 on aggregate (72′), but Rodrygo scored twice late, and Benzema’s extra-time penalty sent Real through to the final. |
| 2022–23 | Semi-final | City 5–1 | Bernabéu first leg ended 1–1 (Vinícius & De Bruyne). Second leg: City dominated 4–0 at Etihad, goals from Bernardo Silva (2), Akanji, and Julián Álvarez secured a decisive victory. |
| 2023–24 | Quarter-final | Real 4–3 (tiebreak) | First leg 3–3 at Bernabéu with goals from Rodrygo, Valverde, and an own goal; City scorers: Bernardo, Foden, Gavi. Second leg 1–1 at Etihad; match proceeded to tiebreak where Real prevailed 4–3. |
| 2024–25 | Play-off | Real 6–3 | New format: First leg at Etihad 3–2 to Real after goals from Brahim Díaz and Jude Bellingham overcame Erling Haaland’s brace and Mbappé’s equaliser. Second leg at Bernabéu: Mbappé hat-trick helped Real to a 3–1 victory. |
| 2025–26 | Round of 16 | First leg: Real 3–0 | Bernabéu first leg: Fede Valverde scored a hat-trick, giving Real a commanding lead. The second leg at Etihad poses a daunting challenge for City, yet history shows nothing is impossible in this rivalry. |
Across these six clashes, a pattern emerges: late goals, comebacks, and moments of individual brilliance have repeatedly altered the narrative. Particularly in the 2021–22 semi-final, Real’s extraordinary turnaround, overturning a seemingly decisive City lead, remains one of European football’s most dramatic episodes.
In the current 2025–26 campaign, Real’s three-goal advantage from the first leg at Bernabéu leaves City with a difficult task at the Etihad. Yet, with this rivalry, “impossible” is always a relative term. Fans and pundits alike eagerly anticipate whether Real will maintain their edge or City will stage another unforgettable comeback.
