Manchester City and Real Madrid Played One of the Greatest Champions League Games of All-Time That Could Make Anyone Love Soccer

Holy shit, that game was incredible. Both teams should be thrilled to get out of there with a draw heading into the second leg of this quarterfinal. I'm sure Real Madrid is a bit less enthused about having to go to Manchester next week without managing a win while scoring three goals at home, but if you can escape a game like that with a draw you take it 11 times out of 10.

If I was trying to convince someone that soccer is awesome and had to show them one game, I think this one is right up there near the top from the last few years. I'd put the Argentina-France World Cup Final ahead of it, but I'm not sure that there are too many others.

1-0 City in the second minute. Then Madrid gets two goals in less than two minutes to take a lead just 14:00 in. And then there were still three more insane goals before the final whistle. This match was unreal.

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Given the stakes, the way the match unfolded and the brilliance of the goals, I really don't think it's a stretch to say that was one of the best Champions League games — if not one of the best games period — of this century. It was so awesome.

There is no better definition of must-watch television than next Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET when these teams square off for a spot in the semifinals. Scenes.