Gareth Bale came through for Real Madrid to put them ahead of Manchester City 1-0 in the Champions League
Manchester City suffered a huge blow in their Champions League semifinal second leg match against Real Madrid early on when their captain, defender Vincent Kompany, succumbed to injury and had to be subbed out within the first 10 minutes. However, not even having Kompany in the center of their defense would’ve been enough to stop Gareth Bale several minutes after for Real Madrid.
With Man City trying to play their patented offsides trap, Daniel Carvajal was just waiting for any kind of opening while holding the ball on the right side of the pitch. He then saw Gareth Bale making his run to the near post and played a beautifully timed ball to not get called for offsides. The lightning-quick Bale caught up to the pass and then rocketed a shot at the far post. The ball took a deflection, but it only made it even more impossible to stop as the effort went off the inside of the far post and into the back of the net:
"Bale’s 5th goal in his last 5 games (all comps) gives Real Madrid the lead against Man City. @HeinekenSoccer #UCL https://t.co/gSG757PlGJ— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 4, 2016"
This was a huge goal for Real Madrid and for Gareth Bale in this match. Not only does it make it 1-0 in the second leg, but it’s the first goal for either side thus far in the Champions League semifinal and really puts Manchester City on their heels without the heart of their defense on the pitch anymore. That goal from Gareth Bale could ultimately prove to be the difference when it’s all said and done.
Update: 3:38 p.m. EST
The goal was later changed to an own-goal by Fernando. I doubt Real Madrid will be complaining, though.
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