The encounters between Manchester City and Real Madrid are among the most thrilling and dramatic fixtures in European football.
Although these two clubs don’t share the same rich historical rivalry as some of Europe’s more traditional clashes, their recent meetings have been nothing short of epic.
With the global dominance of Real Madrid in European competitions and Manchester City’s meteoric rise under Pep Guardiola, their matchups have become a key fixture in the UEFA Champions League in recent years.
In this blog, we will explore the timeline of Manchester City’s encounters with Real Madrid, highlighting key moments, unforgettable matches, and the defining moments that have made these encounters so captivating.
A Brief History of Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Image – Source
The rivalry between Manchester City and Real Madrid is relatively new but filled with high stakes. The two sides first met in the 2012-2013 Champions League group stages, with City trying to establish itself as one of Europe’s elite clubs, while Real Madrid looked to continue its dominance.
Since then, their meetings have often come under the spotlight, particularly in the knockout stages of the Champions League, where both teams have had their moments of glory and heartbreak.
While Real Madrid boasts a rich history of success in Europe, Manchester City’s rise to prominence in the last decade has turned their meetings into marquee events.
The tactical brilliance of Guardiola and the star-studded lineup of both teams have made these encounters filled with excitement, drama, and a touch of unpredictability.
Here’s a quick statistical summary of Manchester City’s record against Real Madrid in European competitions:
| Statistic | Manchester City | Real Madrid |
| Total Matches Played | 12 | 12 |
| Wins | 4 | 5 |
| Draws | 3 | 3 |
| Losses | 5 | 4 |
| Goals Scored | 14 | 16 |
| Goals Conceded | 16 | 14 |
| Highest Win | 4-0 (2023) | 3-1 (2012) |
| Largest Loss | 1-3 (2022) | 1-4 (2016) |
| Win Percentage | 33.33% | 41.67% |
| Goal Difference | -2 | +2 |
Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Head-to-Head Record
Image – Source
The two teams have faced each other multiple times in the Champions League in recent years. Below is a detailed head-to-head record:
| Date | Home Team | Away Team | Score | Winner |
| 17.04.2024 | Manchester City | Real Madrid | 4:5 on pens (after 1-1 draw) | Real Madrid |
| 09.04.2024 | Real Madrid | Manchester City | 3:3 | Draw |
| 17.05.2023 | Manchester City | Real Madrid | 4-0 | Manchester City |
| 09.05.2023 | Real Madrid | Manchester City | 1-1 | Draw |
| 04.05.2022 | Real Madrid | Manchester City | 3-1 AET | Real Madrid |
| 26.04.2022 | Manchester City | Real Madrid | 4-3 | Manchester City |
| 07.08.2020 | Manchester City | Real Madrid | 2-1 | Manchester City |
| 26.02.2020 | Real Madrid | Manchester City | 1-2 | Manchester City |
| 04.05.2016 | Real Madrid | Manchester City | 1-0 | Real Madrid |
| 26.04.2016 | Manchester City | Real Madrid | 0-0 | Draw |
| 21.11.2012 | Manchester City | Real Madrid | 1-1 | Draw |
| 18.09.2012 | Real Madrid | Manchester City | 3-2 | Real Madrid |
Key Moments in the Manchester City vs Real Madrid Timeline
1. 2012: The First Meeting in the Champions League (Group Stage)
The first encounter between Manchester City and Real Madrid took place in the 2012-2013 Champions League group stage. The match at the Santiago Bernabéu was an intense affair, with Real Madrid securing a narrow 3-2 victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace helped Madrid edge past City in a thrilling game, marking the beginning of a rivalry that would grow in significance over the years. City’s strong performance in the match despite the loss was a sign of things to come in their European journey.
2. 2016: A Historic 4-1 Loss in the Semi-Finals
In the 2015-2016 Champions League semi-final, Real Madrid dominated Manchester City with a 4-1 win on aggregate. This was a tough defeat for City, who were eliminated after a 1-0 loss at the Bernabéu in the second leg, following a goalless draw at home.
This loss highlighted the gulf in experience between the two clubs in European competition, with Real Madrid advancing to the final to claim their 11th European title.
3. 2021: A Dramatic Semi-Final Draw and City’s Narrow Victory
In the 2020-2021 season, Manchester City and Real Madrid met in the semi-finals, and it was a clash full of dramatic twists. In the first leg at the Bernabéu, City emerged victorious 2-1 thanks to a brace from Kevin De Bruyne.
However, the second leg at the Etihad was filled with late drama, and Real Madrid’s Luka Modrić scored a magnificent goal to level things up, leading to a 1-1 draw.
Ultimately, City’s aggregate lead was enough to see them through to their first-ever Champions League final, though they would fall to Chelsea in the final.
4. 2022: The Iconic Semi-Final and Madrid’s Last-Minute Heroics
The 2022 semi-final between Manchester City and Real Madrid will go down as one of the greatest Champions League encounters of all time.
After a thrilling first leg at the Etihad, which City won 3-1, the return leg at the Bernabéu saw Real Madrid pull off one of the most incredible comebacks in football history.
Despite City being ahead with only a few minutes to go, Real Madrid, led by the magic of Karim Benzema, scored twice to force extra time. Benzema then converted a penalty in extra time to send Madrid through to the final, where they would go on to defeat Liverpool to win their 14th European Cup.
5. 2023: Manchester City’s 4-0 Thrashing of Real Madrid
The most recent meeting between the two sides was in 2023 during the semi-finals. In what was a statement performance, Manchester City defeated Real Madrid 4-0 in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium.
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Bernabéu, City put on a dazzling display, with goals from Bernardo Silva (2), Jack Grealish, and Julian Álvarez sealing the win.
This victory marked the beginning of City’s dominance in Europe as they would go on to win their first-ever Champions League title.
Iconic Moments in Manchester City vs Real Madrid Matches
Image – Source
- Benzema’s Last-Minute Goal (2022): Real Madrid’s legendary striker Karim Benzema was at the heart of one of the most memorable moments in this rivalry. With Real Madrid needing a goal to stay alive in the 2022 semi-final, Benzema’s late penalty in extra time secured their place in the final, completing an extraordinary comeback.
- Manchester City’s 4-0 Victory (2023): City’s dominant 4-0 win over Real Madrid in 2023 was a true statement of intent. The match marked their arrival as a force in European football, with Pep Guardiola’s tactics and City’s attacking brilliance on full display.
- Cristiano Ronaldo’s Brace (2012): In their first ever meeting in 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo’s clinical brace helped Real Madrid defeat City 3-2 at the Bernabéu, laying down the marker for their future European encounters.
Conclusion: The Future of the Rivalry
While Manchester City and Real Madrid have only met a handful of times in European competition, their clashes have quickly become some of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures on the football calendar.
With City’s rise to prominence under Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid’s continued quest for more Champions League glory, this rivalry is set to be a defining one in European football for years to come.
The future of this rivalry promises even more high-stakes encounters, with both teams capable of producing moments of brilliance.
As City continues to build its European pedigree and Real Madrid remains a powerhouse in world football, the drama and excitement of these matchups are sure to continue.
FAQ: Manchester City vs Real Madrid
How many times have Manchester City and Real Madrid played against each other?
They have faced each other 12 times in official competitions.
Which team has more wins in this rivalry?
Real Madrid has 5 wins, while Manchester City has 4.
What is the highest win for each team in this fixture?
Manchester City’s highest win is 4-0 in 2023, and Real Madrid’s is 3-1 in 2012.
What was the largest loss for Manchester City and Real Madrid?
Manchester City’s largest loss was 1-3 in 2022, while Real Madrid’s was 1-4 in 2016.
What is the win percentage for Manchester City?
Manchester City’s win percentage is 33.33%.
Which team has scored more goals in this head-to-head?
Real Madrid has scored 16 goals, while Manchester City has scored 14.
What is the goal difference between the two teams?
Manchester City has a goal difference of -2, and Real Madrid has a goal difference of +2.
Featured Image – Source
Disclaimer
The images used in this blog are not owned by Sports Timeline UK and the copyrights of the images belong to the respective owners only.
