“Jack Grealish pushed by Dani Carvajal into advertising board, Toni Kroos escapes red card for tackling Ilkay Gundogan”

Manchester City’s clash with Real Madrid turned fiery towards the end of the first half, with the home side resorting to robust tactics to stop City’s comeback bid. After Vinicius Jr gave Los Blancos the lead against the run of play, a number of questionable challenges were made. Jack Grealish was shoved in the back by Real Madrid full-back Dani Carvajal while trying to retrieve a long ball down the left, crashing into the advertising hoardings. Grealish reacted to Carvajal, who went down holding his face, even though the Man City star hit him on the arm. On the stroke of half time, Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos was cautioned for a wild hack on Ilkay Gundogan. TalkSPORT’s Adrian Durham and Stuart Pearce believe Kroos was fortunate to get just a yellow, with Pearce saying it was a clear red card. City were level midway through the second half as Kevin De Bruyne scored a rocket of his own, striking past Thibaut Courtois 20 yards away from goal. Pearce said De Bruyne’s goal could be the most important he has ever scored for the football club.