Manchester City conceded a last gasp equaliser as they battled to a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League Round 2 tie in the Spanish capital this evening.
Caroline Weir struck early in the second half as Manchester City took the lead but Kenti Robles netted an injury time equaliser at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano to set up a mouth-watering second leg next week.
Manchester City settled well in Madrid and Lauren Hemp, Janine Beckie and Khadija Shaw all tested home keeper Maria Isabel Rodriguez Rivero in the opening 15 minutes.
Real Madrid soon warmed to the task on what was their European debut and Esther Gonzalez and Olga Carmona Garcia soon brought saves out of stand-in Manchester City keeper Karima Benameur Taieb.
The hosts were given a golden opportunity to break the deadlock just before half-time when Shaw was harshly adjudged to have caught Ivana Andres Sanz in the box. Esther stepped up to take the penalty kick but she ballooned her effort over the bar.
It was Manchester City who broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half through Weir. Real Madrid failed to clear their lines and the Scottish midfielder rifled the ball into the net from 12 yards.
The Whites responded well and Esther soon rattled the woodwork before Nahikari García Pérez forced a save from Taieb.
Jill Scott then saw a headed effort ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper before Taieb was again called into action to deny Teresa Abelleira Dueñas.
Manchester City looked to have done enough to win the game but Real Madrid full-back Robles scrambled in an equaliser in the 92nd minute to ensure that the scoreline ended level.
The two sides meet in the second leg at The Academy Stadium on Wednesday 8 September.