Champions League: Pep Guardiola returns to Spain to face old enemy; Juventus travels to Lyon

By Matias Grez and John Sinnott, CNN

Updated 5:48 p.m. ET, February 26, 2020
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5:48 p.m. ET, February 26, 2020

Oh what a night!

Matias Grez

Could that be the night that changes Manchester City's Champions League fortunes?

After comical errors from Rodri, Nicolas Otamendi and Kyle Walker had gifted Real Madrid a goal out of nothing, it looked as though the club would continue its living nightmare in this competition, which it has never won.

But Pep Guardiola's side showed some real mental fortitude to turn things around and come away from the Bernabeu with a deserved advantage.

Huge credit must also go to Fernandinho -- who was brought on as a substitute for the injured Aymeric Laporte in the Brazilian's unfavored position of center back -- after the Brazilian's two crucial defensive blocks in the space of three minutes kept the score at 1-0.

In truth, Real's goal came very much against the run of play and when City did eventually equalize through Gabriel Jesus' header -- Kevin De Bruyne once again at the heart of the move -- there only looked like there would be one winner.

Kevin De Bruyne celebrates his winning penalty.
Kevin De Bruyne celebrates his winning penalty. JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images

But this is still Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, a daunting prospect for any team in Europe and even more so for a club that had never previously tasted victory against Los Blancos.

Raheem Sterling's introduction inside the final 10 minutes proved to be the additional boost City needed to get over the line.

The Englishman's electric pace was too much for Dani Carvajal to handle and the Spaniard made a rash challenge to give away a blatant penalty.

Up stepped De Bruyne -- undeterred after seeing several teammates miss penalties already this season -- to bury it into the bottom corner.

A hop and a fist bump was quite the understated celebration considering it secured the club's first ever victory over Real, but as the Belgian said, this tie is only half done.

To make matters worse for Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos was shown a straight red card -- his 26th for the club -- after bringing down Jesus in the final few minutes.

The Spaniard now holds the record for most red cards in La Liga history, Champions League history, Real Madrid history and Spanish national team history.

As records go that's quite a collection!

Sergio Ramos is shown a red card.
Sergio Ramos is shown a red card. JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images

5:24 p.m. ET, February 26, 2020

"I have to help my teammates"

Matias Grez

For somebody used to playing as a striker, that was a phenomenal performance from Gabriel Jesus as a left winger -- and a very defensive one at that.

He tracked back diligently all match and not once lost his concentration.

His performance was rewarded with the equalizing goal and his quick feet in the final minutes caused Sergio Ramos to bring him down, resulting in a red card for the defender.

Here is Jesus, speaking to BT Sport.

I can remember my time in Palmeiras when I came from the academy I played like a winger, then I played as a striker. I go to the pitch to help my teammates, you know, it doesn't matter if I have to run back or run forward to score a goal, I have to help my teammates. It's good for us, we learn a lot and we have to play sometimes different positions, that's good."
5:16 p.m. ET, February 26, 2020

"Only half way there"

Matias Grez

Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Manchester City captain Kevin De Bruyne was remaining very calm and composed after that victory.

There wasn't much of a celebration from the Belgian after he buried the winning penalty and he was keen to emphasise how difficult it will be to see out this tie against Real Madrid in the return leg at the Etihad.

It's a very good start for the first game, I think the first 15 minutes we struggled but you have to go through the storm. The first half was pretty even and we started the second half well, the goal comes at a bad moment for us because we were dominating at the time but our response was brilliant -- a great goal from Gabi, it's a great start from us."

The starting lineup, particularly for the omission of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus' position as a defensive winger raised some eyebrows.

It sounds as though it raised some in the City changing room too.

I think in the four years we are here with Pep there are some surprises, we don't know until the game starts what we need to do to. We had some good moments, some lesser moments but in a quality game like this you're going to struggle sometimes.

On his 50th goal for Manchester City:

It's nice, it's a big team and a big stadium and we know Madrid is one of the favorites and we came here with a goal to have a good performance, but we're only half way there and it's going to be a big game at home. We have a [League Cup] final on Sunday."
4:58 p.m. ET, February 26, 2020

Full time: Lyon 1-0 Juventus

Matias Grez

History for Lyon!

The French side records its first ever victory over Juventus and that was a gutsy defensive display.

Despite Juve dominating in the second half, it rarely looked like troubling Lyon's goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo's reaction sums up Juventus' night quite well.

Cristiano Ronaldo's frustration was clear to see.
Cristiano Ronaldo's frustration was clear to see. PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP via Getty Images

4:55 p.m. ET, February 26, 2020

Full time: Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City

Matias Grez

What a night for Manchester City!

Pep Guardiola's side showed some guts to come from behind and, in truth, the victory is exactly what they deserve.

Manchester City players celebrate Jesus' equalizer.
Manchester City players celebrate Jesus' equalizer. Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Real's misery in that second half was compounded by Sergio Ramos' red card for bringing down Gabriel Jesus.

Advantage Manchester City!

Sergio Ramos receives his marching orders.
Sergio Ramos receives his marching orders. David Ramos/Getty Images

4:48 p.m. ET, February 26, 2020

Nerves of steel

Matias Grez

Manchester City hasn't had much luck with penalties this season, with a number of players already missing from the spot -- but Kevin De Bruyne buried that one emphatically.

Kevin De Bruyne slots the penalty home.
Kevin De Bruyne slots the penalty home. David Ramos/Getty Images

4:45 p.m. ET, February 26, 2020

RED CARD!

Matias Grez

For the 26th time, Sergio Ramos is shown a red for Real Madrid.

A poor pass from Casemiro allows Gabriel Jesus to steal possession and go in behind Ramos, who pulls on Jesus' shoulder and brings him down.

The resulting free-kick is hit by Mahrez straight at Courtois.

4:41 p.m. ET, February 26, 2020

Penalty SCORED!

Matias Grez

It's Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City!

In the space of a few minutes, this tie has been turned on its head.

Kevin De Bruyne, captain for the evening, drills it low into the bottom corner -- what a HUGE goal that could be in this tie.

4:40 p.m. ET, February 26, 2020

Penalty to Man City!

Matias Grez

The referee points to the spot after Dani Carvajal brings down Raheem Sterling -- that's a clear penalty.