- Record number of women win seats in Japan election
- Vinicius favourite for Ballon d'Or in post-Messi/Ronaldo era
- Milan and Inter back on long road towards a new San Siro
- Oil prices tumble as Iran fears ease, yen weakens after Japan polls
- Olympus CEO resigns over alleged illegal drugs purchase
- After disastrous election, what happens to Japan's new PM?
- Bangladesh immunity order sparks fears of justice denied
- North Korea says probe 'proved' Seoul to blame for drones
- Wallabies return to Perth and Townsville for 2025 Tests
- Left, center-right candidates to duel in Uruguay presidential runoff
- Australia rest Test stars for Pakistan T20 series
- New storm bears down on Philippines after deadly Trami
- 'Wiped off the face of the Earth': How Russia erased a Ukrainian city
- Teacher vs veterinarian: Uruguay's presidential frontrunners
- Down to the wire: Trump, Harris in final week push
- NFL Chiefs stay unbeaten as Commanders win on miracle catch
- Trump's New York rally attacks Harris, draws criticism
- Maxey scores 45 points to propel 76ers over Pacers
- Left, center-right candidates to duel in Uruguay presidential runoff: estimates
- Debutant Sears shines as US women rally to beat Iceland
- Sainz achieves wish with one more win for Ferrari
- Japan PM under pressure after debacle election
- Timothee Chalamet crashes his own look-alike contest
- McLaren say Verstappen penalties 'not enough' after 'ridiculous' Mexico move
- Eight-try Toulouse flatten Toulon to go top of Top 14
- Ohtani expected to play in World Series game three after injury scare: Roberts
- Centre-left opposition leads in Lithuania election
- Sainz wins Mexico Grand Prix as Norris makes most of Verstappen penalty
- Trump leads New York rally as Harris targets grassroots
- Centre-lift opposition leads in Lithuania election
- Injured Springbok Willemse to miss November Tests
- NFL Browns upset Ravens while Tagovailoa loses in comeback
- Yildiz saves Juve in eight-goal thriller at Inter as Napoli pull away
- Bolivia's ex-president blames govt as shots fired at him
- Japan ruling coalition projected to lose majority in election
- Yildiz drags Juve back from brink in eight-goal thriller at Inter
- Ford added to England squad for New Zealand clash
- Faltering Atletico stumble again at Real Betis
- Ohtani to play World Series game three after injury scare - report
- In uncertain US election, two prestige papers refuse to pick sides
- England's Slade eager to face New Zealand after Exeter return
- 'Venom' still kills, topping N.American box office
- Conservatives top Bulgarian elections but fall short of majority
- Liverpool hold Arsenal in Premier League title clash, Man Utd beaten
- Chelsea's Palmer reminds Maresca of Blues favourite Zola
- Bayern thump Bochum to retake Bundesliga top spot
- Salah strikes late as Liverpool snatch draw at title rivals Arsenal
- Georgia opposition calls election results protests as president accuses Russia
- Egypt proposes two-day Gaza truce in hope of full ceasefire
- Ex-president of Bolivia blames government as shots fired at him
Foden outshines Bellingham to give Man City advantage over Real Madrid
Phil Foden won the battle between two of England's brightest stars to give Manchester City the upper hand after a thrilling Champions League quarter-final, first leg against Real Madrid ended 3-3 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
In a game lit up by stunning strikes, none was better than Foden's smash into the top corner to haul City level at 2-2 midway through the second half.
Further rockets from Josko Gvardiol and Federico Valverde left it all to play for at the Etihad on April 17.
However, City will feel confident thanks to a stellar home record in the Champions League, that includes hitting Madrid for four in each of the past two seasons.
Pep Guardiola's men are unbeaten in their last 30 home Champions League games, stretching back to 2018.
A 4-3 victory over Madrid was not enough two years ago in the semi-finals as the Spanish giants staged a remarkable recovery late in the second leg on their way to a 14th European crown.
City got their revenge last season in a 4-0 thrashing that was arguably the high point of Guardiola's glorious eight-year reign.
- Bellingham escapes ban -
A tighter tie was anticipated this season in large part thanks to Bellingham's spectacular debut season in Spain.
The 20-year-old rejected the advances of City and other Premier League giants when offered a chance to return to his homeland in favour of becoming a darling of the Bernabeu.
Yet, his hot streak in front of goal has cooled off just as Foden has hit top form in 2024.
A booking would have ruled Bellingham out of the second leg and he was lucky to escape without a suspension as he took out his irritation at some perceived rough treatment on Ruben Dias in the first half.
Bellingham's one big chance to twist the knife into City's defence of the Champions League arrived early in the second half with Madrid leading 2-1.
He twisted and turned Bernardo Silva but failed to find the far corner on his weaker left foot.
By contrast, Foden is lethal on his left side and Madrid were made to pay for leaving him too much space on the edge of the box to fire into the top corner for his 22nd goal of the season.
"I just felt this sweet connection," Foden told TNT Sports.
"It's something I always practice in training where you receive it on the edge of the box and thankfully today I saw it go into the top corner."
At just 23, Foden already has a medal haul most retired footballers could dream of.
Yet his prime years still lie ahead of him and he stood up to be counted on a night City needed him without Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian took his place on the bench but he had fallen ill in the hours before kick-off to force Guardiola into a late change of plans.
"In the last meeting in the hotel he was playing. (Then he) started to feel bad and vomit, he didn’t feel well to play," said Guardiola.
"One of the secrets at a high level is adapt to the chaos. There’s no time to complain."
Luckily for City, Foden has been thrust into filling the void left by De Bruyne for much of this season in an injury-hit campaign for the 32-year-old.
"He has this spark," added Guardiola. "This incredible talent, to score goals, to create something, it is the truth."
Often a victim of his own versatility, for most of his career Foden has been forced out of a central role to accomodate others.
Bellingham's rise to stardom has seen Foden play second fiddle at international level as well as at City.
But his case to be trusted as the creative hub for both his club and country, with England among the favourites for Euro 2024, is becoming impossible to ignore.
M.Thompson--AMWN