Leipzig vs Man City LIVE: Champions League result and final score after Gvardiol equalises

RB Leipzig 1-1 Man City: Premier League champions denied in Germany as Gvardiola cancels out Riyad Mahrez opener

Erling Haaland battles with Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol (Reuters)

RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol headed in a 70th-minute goal to earn a 1-1 draw against visitors Manchester City in their Champions League Round of 16 first leg on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old defender bagged the deserved equaliser with a towering header after City’s Riyad Mahrez had slotted in following a Leipzig mistake in the 27th minute.

Leipzig were toothless in the first half but were much improved after the break and outplayed their opponents, who are aiming to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for a sixth straight season.

City have now drawn their last two games after being held 1-1 by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday while Leipzig’s four-game winning run in the competition came to an end. The return leg is in Manchester on March 14.

Follow all the reaction as RB Leipzig host Manchester City in the Champions League last-16:

RB Leipzig vs Manchester City

• Goal! Josko Gvardiol heads Leipzig level (70 min)
• Goal! Riyad Mahrez fires City ahead (27 min)

[22 February 2023 20:37 · Ben Fleming]

RB Leipzig 0-1 Manchester City

35 mins: Even after the goal, City have continued to dominate the ball. They work the ball well around the box before Grealish is picked out. He cuts inside but fires just over with a curling effort.

[22 February 2023 20:34 · Ben Fleming]

RB Leipzig 0-1 Manchester City

Here is City’s opening goal and Mahrez’s 20th goal in the competition:

[22 February 2023 20:32 · Ben Fleming]

RB Leipzig 0-1 Manchester City

30 mins: Chance! It’s a well-worked corner routine from City and Haaland nearly doubles the away side’s lead. Mahrez crosses to the far post and Rodri is there to fire it back across the box but Haaland is unable to get a boot on it to divert it back towards the goal.

[22 February 2023 20:29 · Ben Fleming]

GOAL! RB Leipzig 0-1 Manchester City (Mahrez 27’)

City’s dominance pays off and they have the lead. Leipzig give the ball away cheaply and Grealish pounces. His pass to Gundogan works it way through to Mahrez, who fires home past Blaswich with a first-time effort.

[22 February 2023 20:24 · Ben Fleming]

RB Leipzig 0-0 Man City

23 mins: More possession for City but few openings presenting themselves as they continue to switch the ball from side to side. Ake delivers a hopeful ball but Halstenberg heads away as Mahrez contests.

[22 February 2023 20:20 · Ben Fleming]

RB Leipzig 0-0 Man City

19 mins: Leipzig have had little chance to get forward in this game and Werner is caught offside as the home team looks to launch a rare attack.

[22 February 2023 20:17 · Ben Fleming]

RB Leipzig 0-0 Man City

16 mins: Gvardiol brings down Grealish on the edge of the box and City have a set-piece opportunity in a promising position...but Mahrez fires straight into the wall.

[22 February 2023 20:15 · Ben Fleming]

RB Leipzig 0-0 Man City

13 mins: Just 13 minutes gone so far but City are well on top with more than 75% possession. Walker gets to the touchline and his cross is deflected over for the game’s first corner. Mahrez delivers but the header from Diaz is straight at Blaswich.

[22 February 2023 20:10 · Ben Fleming]

RB Leipzig 0-0 Man City

9 mins: City win an early free-kick which Mahrez delivers but his cross is poor and Leipzig clear with ease

[22 February 2023 20:09 · Ben Fleming]

RB Leipzig 0-0 Man City

8 mins: Gundogan, this time, makes a good burst into the box but his cross - aiming for Haaland - is blocked by Gvardiol.