Vinicius Junior scored twice as Real Madrid overpowered Liverpool with a 3-1 victory on Tuesday, putting them in sight of the Champions League semifinals, while Manchester City's Phil Foden grabbed a last-minute winner as they beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg.
The 20-year-old Brazilian fired the 13-time European champions into the lead in the 27th minute at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium after controlling a long diagonal pass from Toni Kroos from his own half which flummoxed the Liverpool defense.
Marco Asensio put the hosts further at ease by scoring in the 35th after a Kroos pass again caused havoc among the visiting backline but Liverpool looked more settled after the interval and a scrappy Mohamed Salah strike pulled them back into contention early in the second half.
But they failed to build on their momentum and Vinicius, who has a reputation for thrilling play but a lack of composure in front of goal, struck again in the 63rd minute, blasting past Liverpool keeper Alisson after clever combination play between Karim Benzema and Luka Modric.
Asensio missed a clear chance to grab Madrid's fourth goal, while Liverpool threatened late on.
Yet the visitors were unable to find a second away goal to take back with them to Anfield next Wednesday and the game ended with the same scoreline as in the 2018 Champions League final.
Vinicius, who kissed the Real badge after scoring his first goal, was pleased to finally deliver on the biggest stage of all and silence the doubters who claimed he lacked the bottle to succeed at Real.
"The people on the outside can keep talking but I kept on working, that gave me the strength to rise to an important occasion and get the goals we needed," he told reporters.
Real coach Zinedine Zidane added: "That felt great, we played superbly but then had problems in the second half but recovered and produced a great performance, I'm so proud of the players. But there's still the second leg to come."
Erling Haaland of Dortmund talks with Phil Foden of Manchester City at full time during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match between Manchester City and Dortmund in Manchester, England, April 6, 2021. /CFP
Man City edge Dortmund in Champions League with last-gasp Foden winner
Manchester City's Phil Foden grabbed a last-minute winner as they beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg after Marco Reus netted a late equalizer for the Germans at The Etihad.
Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring on 19 minutes for the runaway Premier League leaders, but Dortmund grabbed a vital away goal when Erling Haaland teed up Marco Reus to equalize six minutes from time.
Foden had missed a series of chances to double City's lead earlier in the second-half, but made amends at the death to give Pep Guardiola's men the advantage with the second leg to come in Germany on April 14.
City have failed to get beyond the last eight in their previous four seasons under Guardiola and once again struggled replicate their scintillating Premier League form on the European stage.
The English side were overwhelming favorites before a ball was kicked against a Dortmund side that has fallen seven points adrift of the top four in the Bundesliga.
By contrast, City men have now won 27 of their last 28 games in all competitions to remain on course for a historic quadruple of Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.
But the hosts had to ride their luck to take a narrow advantage to Germany next week.
Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match between Manchester City and Dortmund in Manchester, England, April 6, 2021. /CFP
Haaland was the focus of much of the pre-match hype with City one of a number of clubs interested in the Norwegian wonder kid.
The 20-year-old had failed to score in just two of his previous 14 Champions League appearances, but he spurned his one big chance to net early in the second-half.
De Bruyne was at the heart of all of City's most dangerous moments as Foden should have done better than fire too close to Marwin Hitz with the goal gaping.
The City captain then sent a low shot inches wide before once more picking out Foden, who saw another effort beaten away by Hitz.
Haaland showed he is more than just a goalscorer as his brilliant reverse ball released Reus to fire beyond Ederson in what seemed a sting in the tale.
But Dortmund could not hold out in the closing stages as City pushed for a winner.
De Bruyne was the creator again as his cross found Ilkay Gundogan at the back post and his cut-back was swept home by a relieved Foden.
(Cover image: Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match between Real Madrid and Liverpool at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in Madrid, Spain, April 6, 2021. /CFP)