Manchester City and Real Madrid Played One of the Greatest Champions League Games of All-Time That Could Make Anyone Love Soccer

Holy shit, that game was incredible. Both teams should be thrilled to get out of there with a draw heading into the second leg of this quarterfinal. I'm sure Real Madrid is a bit less enthused about having to go to Manchester next week without managing a win while scoring three goals at home, but if you can escape a game like that with a draw you take it 11 times out of 10.

If I was trying to convince someone that soccer is awesome and had to show them one game, I think this one is right up there near the top from the last few years. I'd put the Argentina-France World Cup Final ahead of it, but I'm not sure that there are too many others.

1-0 City in the second minute. Then Madrid gets two goals in less than two minutes to take a lead just 14:00 in. And then there were still three more insane goals before the final whistle. This match was unreal.

Given the stakes, the way the match unfolded and the brilliance of the goals, I really don't think it's a stretch to say that was one of the best Champions League games — if not one of the best games period — of this century. It was so awesome.

There is no better definition of must-watch television than next Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET when these teams square off for a spot in the semifinals. Scenes.