Manchester City vs. Monaco: Score, Reaction to 2017 Champions League Round of 16

Sergio Aguero and Radamel Falcao both scored twice as Manchester City and AS Monaco incredibly shared eight goals in the UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

City won 5-3, despite trailing 2-1 and 3-2. Aguero made it 3-3 just after the hour mark before John Stones and Leroy Sane put City in a commanding position. Falcao and Kylian Mbappe thought they'd done enough to secure the match for Monaco after cancelling out Raheem Sterling's opener.

Yet there were always going to be more goals in a game brimming with scintillating attacking play and littered with defensive mishaps from both sides. The bloated scoreline made Champions League history, according to ESPN's Paul Carr:

City boss Pep Guardiola showed he didn't fear the leading scorers in Europe by picking an attack-heavy team, with even forward-thinking Yaya Toure underpinning a 4-1-4-1 formation, per City's official Twitter account:

Monaco chief Leonardo Jardim countered with a bold 4-4-2 setup, with former Manchester United and Chelsea loanee Falcao part of a two-pronged forward line, per the French club:

Matt Spiro of beIN Sports prophetically noted how both attacking lineups promised a wide-open match:

It was Monaco who were brighter in forward areas early on, despite City seizing the advantage in possession. Monaco were content to break and did so with menace when Mbappe strode at the City defence at frightening pace. It took a terrific block from Fernandinho to deny Monaco a goal.

However, the visitors from Ligue 1 kept the pressure on. Next it was classy schemer Bernardo Silva pulling the strings. He nutmegged Toure and slid through a fantastic pass for Falcao. Sadly for Monaco, the Colombian didn't have the pace to outrun John Stones.

Falcao then turned provider when he released left-back Benjamin Mendy at the end of another swift counter. The defender's shot cannoned off City goalkeeper Willy Caballero, but a better chance soon came Monaco's way.

Toure looked vulnerable again when his errant attempt to head a corner away let the ball drop invitingly for an unmarked Kamil Glik at the back post. Somehow, the Polish centre-back didn't react quickly enough and headed over the bar.

Monaco were catching the eye, and James Robson of the Manchester Evening News was particularly impressed with one young would-be star:

City needed an answer and should have got one when Sterling and David Silva combined to give Aguero an easy finish. However, the Argentinian couldn't reach the ball at full stretch.

The hosts didn't need to wait long to go ahead, though. Their goal came when the impressive Sane tied Monaco's right side in knots before teeing up Sterling for a tap-in.

Former Liverpool winger Sterling appeared offside when he applied the finish, but the goal stood. It also continued Sterling's fine form in Europe's premier club competition, per Squawka Football:

To their credit, Monaco weren't rattled by the goal. In fact, they were soon level when a poor clearance from Caballero put Fabinho in. The industrious midfielder whipped in a magnificent cross that Falcao met emphatically with a diving header to equalise.

An end-to-end, frenetic game almost saw an instant response from City when Aguero collided with Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic in the box. It appeared a clear penalty, but the referee instead booked the City striker for diving.

Things soon got worse for City when Fernandinho gave away a needless free-kick. The set piece was simply lofted over the top for Mbappe who raced to meet it with a thumping shot past Caballero. It was just reward for the teenager's sensational display.

Squawka Football summed up how Mbappe has taken European football by storm this season:

Mbappe may have surprised many, but Spiro pointed out at least two teams from England's top flight who might have signed the precocious goal-getter:

Monaco's second goal cemented the club's place as the most prolific side in Europe:

City may have been dreaming of a fightback after the break, but more sloppy defending soon saw the hosts yield a penalty. The incident involved Nicolas Otamendi tangling with Falcao, who was trying to reach yet another astute pass from Thomas Lemar.

Falcao's chance went begging, and play appeared set to resume, only for the referee to award a penalty after a lengthy delay. City felt especially aggrieved after seeing Aguero's claim turned down before the break.

Yet there may have been an element of justice done when Falcao's low and soft penalty was easily saved after the Colombian's stuttered run-up did nothing to fool Caballero.

City made the most of their reprieve when Sterling slid in Aguero, whose low shot squirted under the hand of Subasic. It was a calamitous moment from the Monaco stopper.

As WhoScored.com pointed out, Aguero had Subasic to thank for ending a lengthy scoring drought on the continent:

Fortunately for Subasic, his blushes were soon spared when City centre-back John Stones became the latest defender to make a blunder. The former Everton man was shrugged too easily off the ball by Falcao, who waited for his moment before scooping a delightful chip over Caballero.

Falcao struggled in England, but he's always been deadly in European competition:

Not even a fifth goal could settle the game, though, as Aguero soon had the Citizens level. City's No. 10 reacted smartly to volley home from a corner. It wouldn't be the last time Monaco were undone by a set piece.

Another City corner inside the final 15 minutes let Toure rise highest to head the ball across the box to Stones, who lashed it home with authority to finally let the Manchester club regain the lead. It was a lead padded by Sane after fine combination play between Silva and Aguero.

Falcao might have given Monaco an inexplicable fourth away goal, but for a rare time, Caballero stood firm and denied his shot superbly. Finally, the scoring was over, and City had a win they just about deserved, although they may rue shipping a trio of away goals come the second leg.

Post-Match Reaction

Despite a two-goal lead ahead of the second leg, Guardiola said City must score in Monaco to progress, per the club's official Twitter account:

Perhaps sensing his goalkeeper would be under fire after City suffered yet another shaky display between the posts, Guardiola wisely and correctly emphasised how significant Caballero's penalty save was:

Finally, Guardiola fittingly applauded the spectacle both teams put on in Manchester:

Jardim echoed Guardiola's sentiments, expressing his pleasure at the quality of football on display, according to the Champions League Twitter account:

The Monaco chief also reserved the highest praise for the two strikers who dominated the game:

Falcao and Aguero produced performances sure to live long in the memory. Whichever striker is on form for the return leg in three weeks will ultimately decide the tie.