Kevin De Bruyne netted a stunning equalizer with a rasping low strike to give Manchester City a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in their Champions League semifinal first leg on Tuesday on a night of glorious goals in the Spanish capital.

The City midfielder powered home from distance in 67th minute after Vinicius Junior had opened the scoring in the first half with an equally sumptuous strike.

City dominated the match in the early stages but it was Real who took the lead as Vinicius netted a brilliant curling effort from the edge of the area that flew into the top-right corner with Real's first shot on target in the 36th minute.

The holders got back on top in the second half and took control, but it was City who scored after they won possession high up the pitch and worked the ball to De Bruyne, who drilled it in.

It was a frantic encounter at a sold-out Santiago Bernabeu with the home fans spending the first half hour of the match on the edge of their seats as City started strongly.

Madrid central defenders David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger did not give Erling Haaland room to breathe.

Alaba thwarted Haaland with a fine block early in the second half, as Madrid kept the Norwegian goal machine under lock and key on his first appearance against them.

Madrid did not allow him a clear sight of goal, ensuring he could not add to his 51 goals from 46 games this season across all competitions.

"The pockets and distances between the central defender and full-backs was occupied. It was not easy for Erling. He moved well and had his chances," said City manager Pep Guardiola on Haaland's performance.

"We started really well in the second half," noted Guardiola. "They play a lot of passes on the left and they are really good there, but then we scored a fantastic goal. We have a final next Wednesday at home [in front of] our people."

"When we were better, they scored. When they were better, we scored. It was a tight game. They are so demanding with their experience and quality. We will see what we can do better [in Manchester]."

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti told Movistar Plus, "We competed, we fought, I think we deserved to win. It was a good match and we head to the second leg with a good feeling. The result doesn't reward us for what we did on the pitch, but this tie will be close until the last minute."

"They had more possession in the first 30 minutes, but that didn't worry us, because we were well positioned at the back and waited to make an effective transition. In the second half, we managed to come out from the back better... and we should have won, but the sensations are good," he added.

(With input from agencies)