With the first ten minutes of the match between Real Madrid and Manchester City still to play, Luka Modric and Aymeric Laporte got into a verbal dispute that ended with the centre-back on the ground as he slapped the Croatian in the face with his hand. Before that, Vinicius arrived like a lightning bolt to shove the defender.
It was not just another atmosphere. The Santiago Bernabeu was transformed into a white boiler to cheer on Real Madrid, who received Manchester City in an atmosphere that only the Champions League can offer, a competition in which 'Los Blancos' are the kings with 13 trophies won.
The duel between the Spaniards and the English started so hotly that before the 10th minute was reached, the first clash between the players took place. It was between Laporte, Modric and Vinicius, who came on to defend his team-mate.
It all started when Casemiro brought down De Bruyne and the Croatian arrived to complain. The Sky Blue centre-back pushed him away with his hand and they shoved each other, at which point Vini came on to bring his man into a collision with the defender.
Laporte took advantage of this, with certain touches of theatre, to throw himself to the ground and, as he fell, hit Modric with his hand in the face, who reproached the Spanish international for his exaggeration. The referee finally decided to give a yellow card to the Croatian and the defender.