Leipzig 1-1 Man City: Gvardiol's thumping header cancels out Mahrez opener

Josko Gvardiol scored a thumping header to stop Manchester City clinch an away victory as RB Leipzig gained a draw in the first leg of Champions League Round of 16 tie.

Pep Guardiola's side were in complete control in the first 45 minutes and got the breakthrough midway through the half when Ilkay Gundogan pounced on a mistake in defence and fed Riyad Mahrez to drive into the back of the net.

But RB Leipzig came out in the second half with more ambition and twice went close to equalising early on through Benjamin Henrichs, who first headed just over before then sweeping wide with just Ederson to beat.

The Manchester City goalkeeper was called upon again to deny Andre Silva at his near post but the hosts were finally rewarded for their mounting pressure when Gvardiol headed in following a short corner.

Janis Blaswich denied Gundogan from restoring the visitors' lead moments later with a reflex save from close range but Leipzig held firm to secure a deserved draw.

City, bidding to end their wait for a first Champions League trophy, will look to get the job done in the return leg on Tuesday, 14 March.

Match Events

14' Dias' header too straight

27' GOAL! Leipzig 0-1 Man City (Mahrez)

36' Grealish's shot over the bar

45' Werner's shot stopped

53' Henrichs' header over the bar

55' CLOSE! Henrichs' shot wide out

63' Andre Silva's shot stopped

70' GOAL! Leipzig 1-1 Man City (Josko Gvardiol)

73' Gundogan's shot stopped

Line-ups

Leipzig XI: Blaswich, Klostermann, Orban, Gvardiol, Halstenberg, Laimer, Schlager, Szoboszlai, Forsberg, Andre Silva, Werner

Subs: Nyland, Nickisch, Simakan, Haidara, Poulsen, Nkunku, Raum, Henrichs, Kampl

Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Mahrez, Grealish, Haaland

Subs: Ortega, Carson, Phillips, Alvarez, Gomez, Perrone, Foden, Palmer, Lewis, Charles, Robertson