If Real Madrid-Manchester City has become that most modern of Champions League fixtures, this latest meeting showcased a vintage European Cup quality. It is that moment of true quality that comes out of almost nothing and can change almost everything about a tie.
Both teams suffered from it on Tuesday. Both teams benefited from it.
It did feel telling that two goals of the highest level came as their sides were enduring their most difficult periods of the game, but in this case it was more about the players responsible than the teams. This competition is not just about deciding the champions of Europe, after all. It often elevates the greatest player in the world, and it was victory that for so long decided the Ballon d’Or.
There is now an opening there as the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo era comes to an end, and Vinicius Junior is clearly one of those most willing to fill it. And at full speed.
The Brazilian has added a complete range of abilities to his devastating pace. His goal against City was testament to that: another jaw-dropping moment that signalled a player moving to another level. This wasn’t just scorching through a defence to side-foot it past a keeper – if such brilliance can even be described in such a muted way – in the way Vinicius marked his early career. His semi-final strike was hit with full confidence and power and showcased a player growing into his game and his true qualities. It was a little like when Messi went from beating defenders and sliding the ball past goalkeepers to suddenly smashing in all range of strikes.
Who now compares to Vinicius in 2023? He may well be the most effective player in the world right now, if not the very best. Kylian Mbappe still feels like he has a pure football level beyond anyone else but it’s hard not to again wonder if he feels he is wasting himself in a league lacking in profile. The French star at this point has only a few games a year to shine.
Vinicius is making people take note of his talents almost every week.
Then there is Vinicius and Mbappe’s counterpart in sky blue. This time, however, it wasn’t Erling Haaland. For all the focus on Norwegian’s goals, there have been moments this season where it has felt like he’s in a mutually beneficial competition with Kevin De Bruyne to be City’s best player. This was most true in the 4-1 victory over Arsenal – but the Belgian clearly won the contest in the Bernabeu.
His goal was one of those essential interventions that characterises the career of great players. He performed beyond anyone else when it was most needed – and at the most crucial stage.
Haaland may have leapt above his teammate in those discussions, but this was one of those games where it can at least be understood why people say he is a great goalscorer rather than necessarily a great player. That isn’t a criticism – or even to say it’s true – but he was more at the fringes of general play here in that way that can happen with the Norwegian.
Madrid will know not to get complacent, though. The truth is that David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger had to work extremely hard to limit his impact. It just left that space for De Bruyne, which sets up the second leg.
Guardiola described it as “a play-off” as well as a final, but indicated he will seek to do something different in terms of tactics. This was a rare game where, even though City had more of the possession, they didn’t have full control of the game and probably weren’t the better team.
“We try to adjust something for the second leg to be a bit more fluid, play with a bit more rhythm,” Guardiola said.
This has the feel of a game that is going to be decided by those margins. Two of the best players already indicated that.
