Champions League: Ronaldo Inspires Real Comback Over City …Arsenal Beats Montpellier 2-1

Cristiano Ronaldo’s last-minute winner gave Real Madrid a thrilling victory over Manchester City in a pulsating Champions League clash at the Bernabeu.

City keeper Joe Hart kept his side in the game before they took a shock lead through Edin Dzeko’s breakaway goal.

Marcelo equalised with a deflected shot but City led again when Aleksandar Kolarov’s free-kick flew straight in.

In a frantic finale, Karim Benzema levelled before Ronaldo’s shot flew past an unsighted Hart to win it.

It was an extraordinary finish to a game that had been one-sided for long periods, with the Spanish side completely dominant until Dzeko put City ahead.

But, having led with less than three minutes remaining, Roberto Mancini’s men will still feel they should have won the game, let alone finished empty-handed.

Meanwhile, Arsenal opened their 15th successive Champions League campaign with an unconvincing victory over French champions Montpellier.

Arsene Wenger’s side fell behind after just nine minutes when captain Thomas Vermaelen conceded a needless penalty on the edge of his area.

But two goals in three first-half minutes, from Lukas Podolski and Gervinho, turned the game on its head.

It was a night to forget for Olivier Giroud, who left Montpellier for Arsenal in a £13m deal over the summer. The 25-year-old had been desperate to shine on his return to a club where he won the French title and the golden boot last season but in truth Arsenal were some way short of full capacity all over the field.

They worked hard, counter-attacked intelligently, using the energy of Abou Diaby and the guile of Santi Cazorla, and finished decisively but it was not a classic performance from Wenger’s team.

It did not have to be, but for much of a breathless second half a tired Arsenal side were left hanging on.

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) in aerail contest with Man City’s Kolarov