I spotted what Erling Haaland did for Man City vs Real Madrid that will go unnoticed by his critics

Manchester City and Real Madrid shared another sensational contest as they drew 3-3 at the Bernabeu in their latest Champions League showdown.

Having met for three of the last four seasons in the Champions League knockouts, City and Real were at it again in a breathless encounter on Tuesday. Bernardo Silva's inventive opener, Phil Foden's stunner and Josko Gvardiol's fine curling effort earned a first leg draw in Madrid ahead of the second leg next week.

There was plenty happening before, during and after the game - with Kevin De Bruyne's sickness seeing him removed from the starting XI moments before the teams were submitted. These were the moments you might have missed from an entertaining clash at the Bernabeu.

ALSO READ: Phil Foden gives Man City injury update after substitution vs Real Madrid

ALSO READ: Why Kevin De Bruyne was not in Man City starting XI vs Real Madrid

De Bruyne hint before kick-off

The news of De Bruyne's omission from the starting line up was met with shock. Guardiola rotates in big games, but never with De Bruyne. Even with Foden's electric form, the Belgian is City's talisman and has been at the centre of things when they have produced their best European performances at the Bernabeu. Something felt off.

As it happens, it was De Bruyne who felt off. Guardiola suggested he had initially been named in the starting line up, but the Belgian arrived at the Bernabeu and started vomiting so was promptly omitted from the team and named on the bench. It seems he was still feeling unwell during the warm-up and he did not join his teammates on the Bernabeu pitch before the game.

As he made his way to his seat, De Bruyne was wrapped up in a big coat - despite a warm evening in Madrid with the roof closed - and he looked like a man firmly under the weather.

Modric's classy De Bruyne gesture

De Bruyne had spent the full game firmly in his seat but was well enough to venture out to the pitch at full time to thank the travelling support with his teammates. He will be given time to recover ahead of the second leg, and for the Luton game on Saturday, but will be reassured that City remain well in this tie without him.

While it was Foden and Bernardo who led the attack in De Bruyne's absence, the Belgian was still a man in demand after the game as he caught up with Real veteran Luka Modric on the pitch. The pair have locked horns plenty of times and are two of the best midfielders of their generation, with the respect clearly mutual.

Modric even broke from his calm personality to suggest a shirt swap with De Bruyne, who looked a little embarrassed given he hadn't played.

Haaland moment backs up Guardiola point

Another big game. Another Erling Haaland no-show.

Or that is what the headlines will say. Despite Haaland's many, many goals and quietly-impressive number of assists, critics will always look for a supposed weakness. His lack of goals in the supposedly-bigger games is an easy target, and this was another meeting with Real where Haaland was kept quiet.

The striker tested Andriy Lunin in the early stages from a tight angle but was largely left to scrap for chances from a tight Real defence. Antonio Rudiger wouldn't leave Haaland's side and that left the Norwegian frustrated, but it also opened up space for the likes of Bernardo and Foden to exploit.

At one point with City trailing, Foden lost possession on the edge of the area with Vinicius Jr racing away. But who was there to match the Brazilian for speed and poke the ball off his toes and out for a throw-in right in front of the technical areas? Haaland.

Moments later Foden fired a rocket into Lunin's top corner from the same position he had just lost the ball. It wouldn't have happened without Haaland but that won't feature in the inevitable criticism that will come his way.

Guardiola's emotional Foden celebration

City were looking a little frustrated as they passed the hour mark, behind after taking the lead and struggling to test Lunin. That was until Foden unleashed a rocket from 20-yards into the top corner with an unstoppable effort.

Foden ran to the bench, where he was mobbed by his teammates on the pitch and on the bench - and also Guardiola. The boss looked almost angry as he grabbed Foden's head and neck with both hands, shouting in the 23-year-old's face in a release of pure emotion.

Guardiola also wagged his finger to Foden, and while the description sounds like he was reprimanding his forward, this was Guardiola at his passionate best in the cauldron of an intense Champions League game. If you can't go a little crazy for a goal like that at the Bernabeu, when can you?