Berlin, 10 May 2023 (dpa/MIA) — Kevin de Bruyne cancelled out Vinicius Junior's opener to rescue a 1-1 draw for Manchester City in the first-leg of their Champions League semi-finals matchup against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

De Bruyne took advantage of a mistake by the Spanish side to find a stunning equalizer in the 67th minute after Madrid had broken the deadlock in the 36th with a spectacular effort from Vinicius Junior.

Ederson then made two stunning saves to deny Karim Benzema's header in the 78th and Aurélien Tchouaméni's late effort from distance, securing an important away result for City.

AC Milan welcome cross-town rivals Inter Milan in the all-Italian semi-final tie on Wednesday, while City host the second-leg match against Madrid on May 17.

"Maybe (the result) it's ok somehow, maybe we were closer. I think we had the chance to make it 2-0 so it's a bit bitter. But we have another game in a week and we will try to change that," Madrid defender David Alaba told broadcasters Amazon Prime Video.

City were controlling the game in the first half and twice tested Thibaut Courtois. Rodri in the 14th and Erling Haaland in the 16th forced the keeper to make some challenging saves, as the guests pinned the hosts inside their own half.

But it was Madrid who found the opener and in their first goal attempt of the match.

Vinicius Junior was found on his way to the goal by Eduardo Camavinga, cut inside from left and fired a spectacular effort in the 36th minute.

Madrid improved after the break and looked close to a second goal, but a wrong pass in the 67th cost them dearly and led to a counter-attack from City, finished off by De Bruyne with a superb equalizer.

The English side saw the result threatened late in the game, when Benzema attempted a header in the 78th and Tchouaméni tested Courtois from distance in the 90th.

But the keeper made two brilliant saves as City held the defending champions at the Santiago Bernabeu, where just around a year ago, Madrid completed a remarkable late comeback to defeat City 3-1 after a 4-3 setback in the first game.

"Many will say it was the fair result, but right now it doesn't feel like that. We were a bit too passive, improved after the goal and when we were feeling in our best moment, they scored," Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos said.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged it was "difficult for us in the first half and the second half was much better."

On City's side, Rodri told BT Sport that "the effort was there, but that "sometimes it is difficult against this team because they have a lot of quality.

"We knew no matter what happened here it would not be the end. At home we will need the people to support us," he said.

City manager Pep Guardiola didn't make a single substitution during the game, marking the first time that has happened in a Champions League semi-final since Alex Ferguson left an unchanged side out against Ancelotti's Milan in 2006-07, according to the BBC.

"When we were better they score. When they were better we score. Tight, tight game," Guardiola said.