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Manchester City and Real Madrid played out a 4-4 draw in the first leg of the semifinals at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

Madrid kept it close and there will be a lot to play for in the second leg. There are three thoughts on the game.

1. Both sides have reason to believe they can finish on top

The semifinal between Man City and Real Madrid was the highest scoring in the history of the competition.

Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus scored for City in the first 11 minutes of the game, before Benzema made a comeback. Vinicius Junior hit back two minutes later after Phil Foden made it a three-point game.

Benzema scored from the penalty spot to ensure that the tie is still in the balance ahead of the second leg in Spain.

Real Madrid believe they still have a chance of adding to their record of 13 wins in this competition after watching their team miss a number of chances.

Benzema has scored nine goals in his last four games and has 40 for the season, which is more than any other player in the team.

2. Man City's big-game goal scorers gave Guardiola a fast start

When Jesus and De Bruyne find the net, it is usually important.

De Bruyne has scored against many teams this season, including against Real Madrid, who he gave a game-changing lead against. His goal, scored after just one minute and 33 seconds, was the fastest goal ever by Man City.

Jesus has found opportunities hard to come by this season but has still managed to score against many teams. He scored in both games of the last-16 tie in 2020 and the Spanish giants will be sick of seeing him.

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In the first half here, De Bruyne was the best player on the pitch, and he was at his best in the big stage.

After 90 seconds, De Bruyne scored and set up Jesus, while other world-class players like Modric and Kroos took a while to find their rhythm. His run from the edge of the box to head in Riyad Mahrez's cross was a textbook example of penalty area movement.

City could have been out of sight before Benzema got one back before the break, but the Belgian created golden chances for the two players inside the first 30 minutes.

While ignoring a square pass to Foden at the back post, the City boss annoyed him so much that he sprinted down the touchline to scream at the Algerian.

Kevin De Bruyne scored Manchester City's earliest goal ever in the Champions League, and it set his side up to control Tuesday's semifinal. David Ramos/Getty Images

3. Benzema, missed chances and City's right-back problem keep Madrid in it

Real Madrid will head back to Spain believing they can reach the final in Paris at the end of May, despite the fact that the tie would have been over if City had been at their best.

In the first half, Foden missed a couple of chances, and then in the second half, Foden hit Carvajal on the line with the rebound, and then in the third quarter, Foden missed a couple of chances, and then in the fourth quarter, Foden missed Aymeric passed up another clear opportunity from Oleksandr's cross after Foden scored City's third.

The wastefulness let Real Madrid off the hook and the visitors also benefited from the right-back problems of the coach.

After Benzema's first-half goal came from a cross down his side, John Stones was almost immediately replaced by Fernandinho.

The man started well, but struggled as the game wore on. He was embarrassed by Vinicius Junior as the forward scored to make it 3-2, and every time Real Madrid threw the ball out to their left, the city held its breath.

Benzema was the only thing City could not control. The Frenchman had a nice finish in the first half and his Panenka penalty was cool. There is always a chance with Benzema in your team.