UEFA Champions League | Manchester City 5 – Monaco 3

Monaco were the better side in the early stages of the match and had a good chance on the 6th minute.  Thomas Lemar sent a shot from distance that ended up slightly wide.

The French side created another good opportunity on the 18th minute. Kylian Mbappe served Benjamin Mendy and the latter drilled a shot towards the front post that forced a good save from Willy Caballero. Radamel Falcao took hold of the rebound but the assistant referee signalled an off–side.

A minute later, Monaco had a huge chance. Lemar swinging corner skimmed the head of Yaya Toure and flew all the way to the back post, where an unmarked Kamil Glik directed it just wide.

Manchester City replied by going ahead on the 25th minute. Leroy Sane went on the left flank and sent a cross towards the unmarked Raheem Sterling who finished inside the net.

However, Monaco replied immediately and equalised on the 32nd minute through Falcao. Fabinho sent a cross inside the penalty area and the Colombian fired a diving header past Caballero.

Three minutes later, City supporters protested heavily. Sergio Aguero was put through on goal before falling down inside the penalty area after contact with Danijel Subasic. Pep Guardiola asked for a penalty and a red card, but to the disbelief of many, the referee cautioned the Argentine striker for a simulation.

The visitors increased the margin of the score on the 40th minute. Following a free kick, Fabinho sent a through ball towards Mbappe past the City defenders. The young striker kept his composure and fired a strong finish past Caballero.

Monaco lost the chance to go two goals ahead on the 50th minute as Falcao lost a penalty. Hernan Otamendi fouled the Colombian inside the penalty area and the referee pointed towards the spot. However, Caballero went to his left and neutralised Falcoe’s shot from the penalty spot.

The home side equalised on the 58th minute. Sterling intercepted possession and went on a good run before delivering the ball towards Aguero. The Argentine striker hit a shot which Subasic allowed to go underneath him and into the net.

Incredibly, Manaco regained their lead three minutes later. Falcao went past John Stones and placed a spectacular finish inside the net.

Manchester City managed to level matters again on the 70th minute. From a corner, David Silva sent a cross towards Aguero whose Volley gave Subasic no chance.

Goals kept coming and City went ahead on the 77th minute. Following another corner, Toure flicked the ball inside the goal area and Stones made up for his earlier mistake by slotting the ball past Subasic.

Five minutes later, Guardiola’s side scored their fifth goal. Silva released Aguero through and the latter squared the ball for Sane who had the simplest of finishes.

Monaco replied immediately and were denied by Caballero. Mendy found Falcao in the centre of the penalty area and the striker forced a great save from the Argentine goalkeeper.

Bayer Leverkusen 2 – Atletico Madrid 4

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid registered a 4-2 away win over Bayer Leverkusen. Saul Niguez, Antoine Griezmann, Kevin Gameiro and Fernando Torres scored for last year’s finalists. On the other hand, the German side scored two goals through Karim Bellarabi and an own goal by Stefan Savic.