Manchester City secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, while Arsenal continued their dominant run in the Champions League with a 3-0 win over Club Brugge.
The clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City has become a highly anticipated fixture in the UEFA Champions League, with drama, goals, and tension always expected. This latest encounter was no different, as City had to come from behind to secure the win. Real Madrid, playing without the injured Kylian Mbappe, took the lead in the 28th minute through Rodrygo, who ended a 32-game goal drought with a sharp finish. However, City responded quickly, with Nico O'Reilly equalizing just seven minutes later after a corner. Erling Haaland then converted a penalty before halftime to give City the lead.
The second half saw both sides create chances, but City held on for a deserved victory. This win puts Manchester City in a strong position to advance to the next round, currently sitting fourth in the league phase table. The result also piles pressure on Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, whose job security is now in question after only a few months in charge. Real Madrid has struggled recently, winning just two of their last eight matches across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Arsenal maintained their perfect record in the Champions League with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Club Brugge in Belgium. Noni Madueke scored twice, and Gabriel Martinelli added another as Arsenal secured their sixth win in as many games. This victory all but guarantees Arsenal a top-eight finish, allowing them to skip the knockout phase playoffs in February and move directly into the round of 16 in March.
Arsenal's strong performance came despite missing several key players due to injury. Gabriel Jesus made his first appearance in almost a year, coming on as a second-half substitute. Madueke opened the scoring with a stunning strike in the 25th minute, while Martinelli added the third goal to seal the victory. Arsenal's dominant form in the Champions League this season has established them as one of the favorites to win the competition. They are currently at the top of the UEFA Champions League table.
Other notable results in the Champions League this week include Ajax's 4-2 victory over Qarabag and Copenhagen's 3-2 win against Villarreal. The Champions League league phase continues to deliver exciting matches and unexpected results as teams battle for a place in the knockout stages.
