Players of Manchester City celebrate winning after the UEFA Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
MADRID, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid's problems deepened on Wednesday after a 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City that also leaves coach Xabi Alonso's future very much on the line.
With Kylian Mbappe sidelined due to injury, Rodrygo took advantage of his chance to net his first goal in 33 matches and put Real Madrid ahead, but Nico O'Reilly equalized in the 35th minute after Thibaut Courtois had saved well following a corner.
Manchester City took the lead just before halftime when Erling Haaland scored from the penalty spot after he was hauled down by Antonio Rudiger. Although Real Madrid pushed hard for an equalizer in the second half, the English side held firm to secure the win.
Athletic Club kept its hopes of finishing in the top 24 alive as the Basque club overcame a long injury list to hold reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain to a 0-0 draw.
PSG had the clearest chances but was denied by four excellent saves from Spain international goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Noni Madueke put Arsenal ahead after 25 minutes away to Club Brugge as Mikel Arteta's side claimed a 3-0 win to remain top of the qualifying group with six consecutive victories.
Madueke doubled his tally early in the second half, with an excellent goal from Gabriel Martinelli sealing the win.
Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund's top-eight hopes suffered a setback as it was held to a 2-2 draw at home to Bodo/Glimt. Alejandro Grimaldo's 88th-minute goal saved Bayer Leverkusen a 2-2 draw at home to Newcastle United. Juventus won 2-0 at home over Pafos, while Benfica secured a vital 2-0 victory against Napoli. Copenhagen ended Villarreal's interest in the Champions League with a 3-2 win, while Ajax staged an epic comeback to win 4-2 away to Qarabag. ■
Players of Manchester City celebrate scoring during the UEFA Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Vinicius Junior (R) of Real Madrid vies for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Nico Gonzalez (L) of Manchester City vies for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Players of Manchester City celebrate winning after the UEFA Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Vinicius Junior (R) of Real Madrid heads for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Rayan Cherki (R) of Manchester City vies for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Dani Ceballos (L) of Real Madrid vies for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Rodrygo of Real Madrid celebrates scoring during the UEFA Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Josko Gvardiol (2nd R) of Manchester City heads for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Bernardo Silva (R) of Manchester City vies for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (L), goalkeeper of Manchester City, makes a save during the UEFA Champions League football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
Players of Copenhagen celebrate scoring during the UEFA Champions League football match between Villarreal and Copenhagen in Villarreal, Spain, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Str/Xinhua)
Ilias Akhomach (R) of Villarreal and Mohamed Elyounoussi of Copenhagen vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Villarreal and Copenhagen in Villarreal, Spain, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Str/Xinhua)
Elias Achouri (front) of Copenhagen and Pape Gueye of Villarreal vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Villarreal and Copenhagen in Villarreal, Spain, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Str/Xinhua)
Joel Ordonez (L) of Club Brugge heads for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Club Brugge and Arsenal in Bruges, Belgium, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Hugo Siquet (3rd R) of Club Brugge heads for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Club Brugge and Arsenal in Bruges, Belgium, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Arsenal's head coach Mikel Arteta is seen before the UEFA Champions League football match between Club Brugge and Arsenal in Bruges, Belgium, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Players of Club Brugge pose for a group photo before the UEFA Champions League football match between Club Brugge and Arsenal in Bruges, Belgium, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Hans Vanaken (R) of Club Brugge questions a call during the UEFA Champions League football match between Club Brugge and Arsenal in Bruges, Belgium, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Viktor Gyokeres (1st R) of Arsenal heads for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Club Brugge and Arsenal in Bruges, Belgium, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Martin Odegaard of Arsenal heads for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Club Brugge and Arsenal in Bruges, Belgium, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Players of Arsenal pose for a group photo before the UEFA Champions League football match between Club Brugge and Arsenal in Bruges, Belgium, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Noni Madueke (R) of Arsenal shoots during the UEFA Champions League football match between Club Brugge and Arsenal in Bruges, Belgium, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Noni Madueke (R) of Arsenal celebrates scoring with his teammate during the UEFA Champions League football match between Club Brugge and Arsenal in Bruges, Belgium, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Ben White (L) of Arsenal and Joaquin Seys of Club Brugge vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Club Brugge and Arsenal in Bruges, Belgium, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Noni Madueke (2nd L) of Arsenal shoots during the UEFA Champions League football match between Club Brugge and Arsenal in Bruges, Belgium, on Dec. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
