The breathtaking football played by the sides was matched by two rockets for goals, with Vinicius Jr finishing from the edge of the box to put Madrid ahead after a swift counterattack in the 36th minute.
Kevin De Bruyne was not to be outdone as he replied for Man City with a stunner of his own in the 67th minute to level matters.
The result has set up a mouth watering second leg encounter at the Etihad, a game that Man City winger, Jack Grealish, and manager, Pep Guardiola, believe they have every chance of winning.
"We have a new team this year, different players," Grealish told BT Sports as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/we-feel-unstoppable-at-home-jack-grealish-eyes-champions-league-final
"We've learned so much since last year. Now we have the perfect balance of experience and a few youngsters who are just world-class.
"I think we just have quality and I've never felt so confident going on to the pitch and having these players around me.
"Within ourselves at the Etihad, we feel unstoppable there. We came here to try and win, but it shows our character to go a goal down – it's always difficult to play at a place like this.
"In the end I think it was a fair result. They had their chances, we had a few as well."
Man City manager, Guardiola, says the return leg at home will be like a final for their supporters, and it is a game they are looking forward to.
"It was a really tight game. Congratulations to the team because this team (Real) are always so difficult for their history and also their quality.
"We started really well and when we were better they made an incredible transition (and scored).
"When they were better than us in the second half, we scored. It's open to Manchester, it will be a final for our people and we look forward to it."
While a 1-1 away draw gives City an advantage for next week's encounter, you can count on Real to put on another tactical masterclass to come out of the Etihad victorious.
On the other hand, the Uefa Champions League is one trophy Guardiola and his City side will move mountains to get their hands on, and Carlo Ancelotti's men are the mountain almost immovable when it comes to the UCL.
Whether City can do it is anyone's guess, but one thing that is clear as daylight, is another spectacle coming our way next week.
