Manchester City came from behind to defeat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League and pile more pressure on Xabi Alonso.

Erling Haaland’s 43rd-minute penalty completed a first-half turnaround for the visitors at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid, playing without the injured Kylian Mbappe, who was an unused substitute, took the lead after a positive start to Wednesday’s contest, when Rodrygo snapped a 32-game scoreless streak with a fine finish from a tight angle.

Rodrygo’s opener came in the 28th minute, by which time Madrid had already had a penalty awarded but then overturned by VAR, with Matheus Nunes’ foul on Vinicius Junior taking place outside of the box.

But Madrid wilted after Nico O’Reilly turned in his first Champions League goal from point-blank range after Thibaut Courtois spilled Josko Gvardiol’s header.

City’s comeback was complete eight minutes later, when Haaland slotted home from the spot after he had been hauled down by Antonio Rudiger, with the penalty awarded after a VAR check.

Courtois made a superb double save to keep Madrid in it, but Los Blancos could not add to their solitary shot on target in a second half that saw Vinicius squander two great chances while Endrick hit the crossbar, as City surged up to fourth spot in the standings.