Pep Guardiola had no explanation for another late collapse after Manchester City were beaten in the Champions League by Real Madrid on Tuesday. 

Erling Haaland had opened the scoring at the Etihad Stadium, but City were pegged back when Kylian Mbappe's skewed effort nestled into the back of the net on the hour. 

Haaland then restored the hosts' advantage from the penalty spot in the 80th minute, only for Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham to strike late to hand Carlo Ancelotti's side a first-leg advantage in the tie. 

Indeed, City failed to win a Champions League game in which they led twice for the third time, and first time ever at the Etihad Stadium. All three occasions have been against Real (also September 2012 and April 2024).

City also lost a Champions League game in which they led at half-time for the first time since April 2018 (1-2 v Liverpool), having been unbeaten in 32 games (W29 D3) beforehand. 

"We arrived at the last minute with a result, and we could not keep it," Guardiola told a press conference.

"After 2-1, many games it has happened, against Feyenoord in the Champions League, against Brentford in the Premier League, against Manchester United, many games at the end we give away," he added.

"Unfortunately, it has happened so many times, it's difficult."

The Citizens have now failed to win any of their last four Champions League games in which they’ve scored first, with all those coming this season (1-4 v Sporting CP, 3-3 v Feyenoord, 2-4 v Paris Saint-Germain, 2-3 v Madrid).

Furthermore, they have conceded seven goals in the final 15 minutes of Champions League games this term, with City defender John Stones acknowledging that his team-mates have to be held accountable.

"As the manager says, we need to look at ourselves and take accountability," Stones said. 

"We were right on top at the start of the game, and we know Real have quality to come out in the second half. 

"It is avoidable from us as the eleven on the pitch. We have to do better, it's as simple as that. We have to keep a positive mentality and try to put it right."

However, Guardiola said the responsibility "belongs to all of us, not just the players". 

"I don't have a problem accepting. To blame one specific player, that is ridiculous. It's all of us, me first. And of course, the players as well," he said.

"They want it, how they run, how they do it, but the truth is we are not stable enough in that (crucial) moment."

City know their hopes hand by a thread ahead of their trip to the Bernabeu next Wednesday.