Man City Fail To Win In Leipzig Despite Early Riyad Mahrez Goal

Manchester City struck first in their UEFA Champions League last 16 clash with RB Leipzig but an early Riyad Mahrez goal was not enough to earn a first-leg win.

RB Leipzig 1-1 Manchester City

Manchester City struck first in their UEFA Champions League last 16 clash with RB Leipzig but it was not enough to earn a first-leg win.

Riyad Mahrez scored his 12th club goal of the season to fire City in front 27 minutes into Wednesday's game in Germany.

Mahrez finished clinically after collecting the ball following a Jack Grealish pass that had been subtly flicked on by Ilkay Gundogan.

"As smooth as the back of a spoon!"

Riyad Mahrez punishes Leipzig. 🥄 pic.twitter.com/tps7UtTvgd

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 22, 2023

You can't drop your concentration against this City side!

Grealish pounces on a Leipzig mistake and sends Mahrez through to put City 1-0 up!! 🚀#UCL pic.twitter.com/VZOjmUCtNX

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2023

Riyad Mahrez pictured celebrating after scoring to put Manchester City 1-0 up at RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 :: IMAGO/PA Images/Tim Goode

City were totally dominant during the first 45 minutes, in which they had 74% of possession.

But Leipzig improved significantly after the interval and gave Pep Guardiola's side multiple warnings before their equalizer eventually arrived.

Benjamin Henrichs missed a golden chance to level before City keeper Ederson was forced to make a crucial interception to prevent Timo Werner's low cross from being diverted into the net.

Ederson then pulled off impressive saves to deny Andre Silva and Dominik Szoboszlai.

But Ederson could do nothing to stop a powerful Josko Gvardiol header from hitting the back of his net following a corner kick in the 70th minute.

Joško Gvardiol catches Ederson dancing on his line and Leipzig are back in this one. 🌶 pic.twitter.com/D1uWIRZ76p

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 22, 2023

LEIPZIG TURN IT AROUND!!!! 🙌

Croatian centre-back Joško Gvardiol heads home an equaliser for the home side!! 🤩#UCL pic.twitter.com/j3mUXmQDTo

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2023

Gundogan came close to restoring City's lead but was thwarted by a fine Janis Blaswich save.

An away draw is far from an awful result for City, who will host the second leg on March 14.

Leipzig have now lost just once in their last 21 matches in all competitions.

Highlights: RB Leipzig 1-1 Manchester City