Ronaldo buries City

Real Madrid pulled off a stunning Champions League comeback last night when they twice fought back from a goal down as Cristiano Ronaldo netted a 90th-minute winner in a 3-2 Group D victory at home to Manchester City.

City stunned the Bernabeu when substitute Edin Dzeko raced clear to make it 1-0 in the 69th minute. Marcelo equalised eight minutes later with a deflected effort.

The English champions were ahead again five minutes from time when Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas failed to deal with Aleksandar Kolarov's in-swinging free kick but the home side snatched victory in a frenetic ending.

Karim Benzema made it 2-2 in the 87th minute with a low shot that sneaked inside the post before Ronaldo cut in from the left and his powerful drive flew into the net off goalkeeper Joe Hart to send the crowd into raptures.

"It's not on. You can't go 2-1 up and lose the game. We can only blame ourselves," Hart said.

Real were under pressure to produce a convincing European performance after a stuttering start to their La Liga campaign.

City barely had a sniff of goal in the first half, while Real striker Gonzalo Higuain fluffed two clear chances, one when he was clean through with only Hart to beat and the other when he volleyed over from close range.

Twice in the second period it looked as if City might pull off a smash-and-grab raid in the home of the nine-times winners but each time Real found an answer.

Ronaldo's dramatic late winner prompted wild celebrations among the Real faithful and under-pressure coach Jose Mourinho performed a celebratory knee slide onto the pitch. "It's a good win because the DNA of my team is back," he said.

Arsenal also came from behind to win 2-1 in an end-to-end game at Champions League debutants Montpellier, as Arsene Wenger's side made a winning start to their Group B campaign.

Younes Belhanda stunned the visitors with a ninth-minute Panenka penalty but Arsenal hit back through quick-fire goals from Lukas Podolski and Gervinho to secure only their sixth win in their last 16 group-phase away games.

Remy Cabella hit the bar for Montpellier, who gave Arsenal several uneasy moments, and despite the result, the hosts' display belied a difficult start to their Ligue 1 title defence that has seen them beaten three times already.

Arsenal have now recorded three straight wins after Premier League successes over Liverpool and Southampton, although Olivier Giroud is still without a goal after failing to score on his return to his former club.

Montpellier coach Rene Girard had called on the club's fans to make Stade de la Mosson "hell" for the visitors but there was a nervousness in the hosts' ranks until Belhanda's penalty brought the stadium roaring to life.

The penalty award appeared harsh but replays vindicated referee Carlos Velasco Carballo's decision to penalise Thomas Vermaelen for a robust challenge on Belhanda, who beat Vito Mannone with a nonchalant chipped spot-kick.

Borussia Dortmund were stifled by a hard-working Ajax Amsterdam defence but snatched a last-gasp 1-0 win with a Robert Lewandowski goal in their Group D opener.

The German champions, looking to make an impact in Europe after winning consecutive Bundesliga titles, were frustrated at home after seeing Mats Hummels' 58th-minute spot kick saved.

Marco Reus and Lewandowski also squandered second-half chances to take the lead before the Pole controlled the ball in the box, turned and fired in the winner in the 87th.

With heavyweights Manchester City and Real Madrid also in the group, Dortmund are hoping to crash the party and finish in the top two to advance to the knockout stage.

In other champions league action yesterday:

AC Milan and Anderlecht drew 0-0;

Malaga beat Zenit Saint Petersburg 3-0;

FC Porto beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-0;

Schalke 04 beat Olympiakos 2-1; and

Paris Saint-Germain beat Dynamo Kiev 4-1.