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Bellingham strikes late for Real Madrid in 3-2 win at Man City in Champions League 1st leg playoff

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Bellingham strikes late for Real Madrid in 3-2 win at Man City in Champions League 1st leg playoff
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Bellingham strikes late for Real Madrid in 3-2 win at Man City in Champions League 1st leg playoff

2025-02-12 18:15 Last Updated At:18:20

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Real Madrid’s Galacticos just don’t know when they are beaten. Manchester City just keep on making the same mistakes.

Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time goal sealed a stunning comeback for Madrid and a 3-2 lead in its Champions League playoff against City.

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Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol, right, challenges Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol, right, challenges Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol, left, challenges Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol, left, challenges Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti shouts from the touchline during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti shouts from the touchline during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland scores his side's second goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland scores his side's second goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland reacts after the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland reacts after the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates after his teammate Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz scored their side second goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates after his teammate Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz scored their side second goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, right, scores his sides third goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, right, scores his sides third goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides third goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides third goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe scores his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe scores his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, left, celebrates with Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, left, celebrates with Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, runs to celebrate after socring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, runs to celebrate after socring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe scores his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe scores his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe scores his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe scores his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, left, celebrates with Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, left, celebrates with Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, celebrates with Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham after socring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, celebrates with Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham after socring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

England manager Thomas Tuchel talks to Rafael Benitez before the start of the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

England manager Thomas Tuchel talks to Rafael Benitez before the start of the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid pose for a team group before the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Real Madrid pose for a team group before the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, right, talks to Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola before the start of the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, right, talks to Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola before the start of the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, left and Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola share a laugh before the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, left and Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola share a laugh before the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference in Manchester, England, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, ahead of the Champions League soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference in Manchester, England, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, ahead of the Champions League soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during a press conference at the City Football Academy, Manchester, England, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during a press conference at the City Football Academy, Manchester, England, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

In six frantic minutes at the end of a breathless first leg Tuesday, the Spanish giant scored twice to take a precious advantage into next week’s match at the Bernabeu.

City led 2-1 after 80 minutes at the Etihad Stadium through goals in each half from Erling Haaland. But Brahim Diaz and then Bellingham silenced the home crowd and extend a sorry record for City that has seen it concede seven goals in the last 15 minutes of Champions League games this season.

“We need to see games out better, that's for sure," City defender John Stones said. “We have to stay positive, which is difficult right now.”

Bellingham slid in to convert Vinicius Junior’s lobbed pass in the second minute of added time to bring back memories of Madrid’s dramatic comeback against City in the semifinal in 2022. Then it was Rodrygo who scored twice from the 90th and Madrid eventually sent Pep Guardiola's team crashing out in extra time.

At least City has a chance to salvage the tie in the second leg, but the sense of deflation was clear after such a late collapse.

“It’s not the first time, unfortunately, it happened many times and that's why it's difficult,” Guardiola said. "I’ve been here for many years and we have been an extraordinary team.

“But in the moment I’m not able... I’m not good enough, you know, to give something to (give) composure to the team, to (know) how to manage the situations.”

It was another thrilling, white knuckle-ride of a game between these two giants of European soccer and a one-goal advantage for Madrid means there is still all to play for.

Defeat ended City’s 35-game unbeaten run at home in the Champions League, dating back to 2018.

City led through Haaland’s goal in the 19th.

By that stage, Madrid had seen a penalty overturned for offside and a Ferland Mendy goalbound effort blocked by Manuel Akanji.

Vinicius Junior then hit the bar with a curling shot and Akanji also clipped the frame of the goal with a header.

Haaland hit the bar again less than a minute into the second half.

Madrid’s equalized on the hour through a freakish goal from Mbappe when his miskicked volley wrongfooted Ederson and looped softly over the line.

Mbappe hit the post with another chance before Ceballos brought Phil Foden down just inside the box and Haaland’s penalty restored City’s lead.

On came former City academy player Diaz, who left City for Madrid in 2019 and he leveled the game again before Bellingham's winner.

“I don’t care what form City are in they are still an unbelievable team and so difficult to play against, they way they move you and manipulate your position," Bellingham said. "It’s always really tricky to play against them and in the end we took one of the many chances finally and made it count.”

Paris Saint-Germain took a big step toward the round of 16 by beating Brest 3-0 and Juventus won 2-1 against PSV Eindhoven. Borussia Dortmund also looks on course for the next round after a 3-0 win at Sporting Lisbon.

Ousmane Dembélé struck twice for PSG to extend his scoring streak to 10 games in a row.

His outstanding form as has seen him score 18 goals during that run.

It was his shot that led to PSG taking the lead through a 21st-minute penalty after Pierre Lees-Melou handled in the area. Vitinha converted the spot kick.

Dembélé scored his first in the 45th when he broke free down the right and curled a shot inside the post. His second came in the 66th when he pounced on a loose ball and burst into the penalty area to score his 23rd goal of the season.

Having made hard work of the new-look league phase of the tournament, it would take a major upset in the second leg in Paris to deny PSG a place in the next round.

Substitute Samuel Mbangula grabbed a late winner for Juventus and in doing so claimed his first Champions League goal.

The 21-year-old Belgian forward reacted quickly when goalkeeper Walter Benitez spilled a low cross from the right by Francisco Conceição in the 82nd.

Juventus took the lead late in the first half from Weston McKennie’s powerful strike into the top corner from just inside the penalty area.

Veteran midfielder Ivan Perisic calmed the home fans with a fine finish in the 56th.

Serhou Guirassy scored his 10th Champions League goal of the season as last year’s runner-up Borussia Dortmund beat Sporting Lisbon 3-0.

Guirassy scored one goal and set up another for Pascal Gross as Dortmund scored twice in the space of eight minutes, both goals coming from crosses.

Karim Adeyemi finished off a rapid counterattack to score Dortmund’s third in the 82nd as Sporting tried to get back into the game and left space at the back.

Sporting hasn’t won in five Champions League games since coach Ruben Amorim left for Manchester United in November. It was the first Champions League game for new Dortmund coach Niko Kovac.

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol, right, challenges Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol, right, challenges Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol, left, challenges Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol, left, challenges Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti shouts from the touchline during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti shouts from the touchline during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland scores his side's second goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland scores his side's second goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland reacts after the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland reacts after the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates after his teammate Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz scored their side second goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates after his teammate Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz scored their side second goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, right, scores his sides third goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, right, scores his sides third goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides third goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides third goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe scores his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe scores his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, left, celebrates with Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, left, celebrates with Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, runs to celebrate after socring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, runs to celebrate after socring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe scores his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe scores his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe scores his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe scores his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, left, celebrates with Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, left, celebrates with Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, celebrates with Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham after socring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, celebrates with Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham after socring his sides first goal during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

England manager Thomas Tuchel talks to Rafael Benitez before the start of the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

England manager Thomas Tuchel talks to Rafael Benitez before the start of the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid pose for a team group before the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Real Madrid pose for a team group before the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, right, talks to Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola before the start of the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, right, talks to Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola before the start of the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, left and Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola share a laugh before the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, left and Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola share a laugh before the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference in Manchester, England, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, ahead of the Champions League soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a press conference in Manchester, England, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, ahead of the Champions League soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during a press conference at the City Football Academy, Manchester, England, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during a press conference at the City Football Academy, Manchester, England, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Chaz Lanier made 4 of 5 3-pointers and finished with 20 points, and No. 2 seed Tennessee advanced to a program-record third straight Sweet 16, beating seventh-seeded UCLA 67-58 in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night.

The Volunteers (29-7) will play either sixth-seeded Illinois or No. 3 seed Kentucky, who play Sunday in Milwaukee. The Midwest Region semifinals will be Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Senior guard Jahmai Mashack said this kind of streak is what he wanted when he signed to play for coach Rick Barnes at Tennessee.

“I'm not saying that to be cocky,” Mashack said. “I'm saying that because I put in the work ... Just knowing that the Sweet 16 was a possibility that I wanted to get to, I wanted to do it and I knew this team was going to be able to do it.”

Lanier also set the Tennessee single-season record for 3s with 120, topping the 118 by Chris Lofton in 2007-08. Lofton was in the stands at Rupp Arena to witness Lanier's performance. Lanier called it a blessing and said the glory went to God. He hoped to talk with Lofton postgame.

“It's just a blessing," Lanier said of the record. “I want to shout out my teammates as well. They're always setting good screens for me and passing the ball on the money for me. So without them, I wouldn't be making the shots.”

Zakai Zeigler added 15 points for Tennessee, and Jordan Gainey had 13 points to help the Vols take a 19-point lead with 5:15 left.

UCLA (23-11) made its earliest exit from the tournament in the six-year tenure of coach Mick Cronin.

This was just the second meeting between these programs and first since 1977, a game won in a rout by UCLA in Atlanta. Tennessee took this round with smothering defense, holding UCLA to the fewest points the Bruins had scored in a loss this season.

Cronin said Tennessee’s experienced starting lineup, including a graduate transfer in Lanier and seniors in Zeigler, Mashack and Igor Milicic, was a huge advantage for Barnes and the Vols.

“Offensively, we weren't good enough,” Cronin said.

UCLA last led 25-24.

Tennessee scored the final eight points of the first half and led 32-25. The Vols, with Zeigler and Mashack two of the four finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award, held UCLA scoreless over the final 3:21 of the half.

Skyy Clark, limited to barely three minutes of play in the first half by foul trouble, finished with 18 points for UCLA. Tyler Bilodeau added 15. Clark said he smacked himself on the head as he watched from the bench in the first half.

“Skyy not being able to play really threw us off for a long time,” Cronin said. “It messed the game up. We had a chance if that wouldn’t have happened, we might’ve had a lead at half.”

UCLA: The Bruins came in with the Big Ten's best scoring defense, holding opponents to 65.2 points a game. They committed just 11 turnovers compared to the Vols' 18, giving them fewer than their opponent in 28 of 34 games this season.

Tennessee: The Vols led the Southeastern Conference by allowing just 63 points a game and limiting opponents to 38.4% shooting — fourth stingiest in the nation. They also led the SEC and were third in the country in defending 3s with teams shooting just 28.2% outside the arc. The Vols shot 11 of 22 from 3.

The Vols opened the second half by outscoring UCLA 14-6. Cronin took a timeout with 14:11 left after Lanier hit his fourth 3, capping a 9-0 spurt for a 46-31 lead.

Tennessee is two wins away from the program's first Final Four berth in a season where the Vols spent five weeks ranked No. 1 in the country. Cronin got UCLA back to the tournament after last year's miss, with the Bruins turning in a good inaugural season in the Big Ten.

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.

Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier (2) shoots against UCLA center Aday Mara (15) during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier (2) shoots against UCLA center Aday Mara (15) during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Tennessee's Felix Okpara, center, battles with UCLA's Kobe Johnson, left, while UCLA's Tyler Bilodeau (34) defends during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/James Crisp)

Tennessee's Felix Okpara, center, battles with UCLA's Kobe Johnson, left, while UCLA's Tyler Bilodeau (34) defends during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/James Crisp)

Tennessee's Cade Phillips (12) and UCLA's Aday Mara (15) stretch for a rebound during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/James Crisp)

Tennessee's Cade Phillips (12) and UCLA's Aday Mara (15) stretch for a rebound during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/James Crisp)

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