Phil Foden is a generational talent.

The Manchester City starlet has gone from strength to strength in recent years and is now one of the most important players for Pep Guardiola.

Foden starts every big game these days and against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday evening, he certainly justified his selection.

The England international pulled off some insane touches in the first half of proceedings, with the best of the bunch coming shortly after City took an early 2-0 lead.

Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus were the men who grabbed the goals, but the headline moment of the opening 45 minutes belonged to Foden.

The 21-year-old pulled off an insane first touch inside the penalty area and it was so good that Jesus didn't even think it was possible.

De Bruyne played a lofted pass towards Foden, however, it looked for all the world that the Belgian maestro had overcooked it a tad.

But Foden somehow managed to reach the ball and he then brought it down mid-air with the most elegant of left-footed touches.

Check out the moment of magic...

Video: Foden's insane touch vs Real Madrid

It's time we start referring to Foden as the 'Stockport Lionel Messi'.

That touch is so good it belongs in an art gallery and it's a real shame that Jesus didn't have more faith in his teammate and make a run into the box.

If he had done so, we could be sat here talking about one of the greatest assists in Champions League history, as Foden was clearly onside from De Bruyne's pass.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Phil Foden of Manchester City reacts during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Leg One match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on April 26, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

City had numerous chances to move further ahead in the first half, with Foden and Riyad Mahrez both missing relatively easy chances.

And the English champions were made to pay just past the half hour mark when Karim Benzema (who else?) halved Real Madrid's deficit with a marvellous first-time finish from Ferland Mendy's cross.

Video: Benzema's goal vs Man City

The goals continued flowing after the restart. Foden restored City's two-goal lead with a well-taken header after great work from Fernandinho, but Real Madrid hit back just two minutes later through Vinicius Junior.

Los Blancos' lightning-quick winger covered half the pitch with the ball and then finished emphatically past Ederson to make it 3-2 on the night.

Video: Vinicius' solo goal vs Man City

A truly spectacular goal by one of the most exciting young talents in world football.

City made it 4-2 in the 74th minute thanks to Bernardo Silva's wonder-goal, but Real Madrid replied for a third time in the final 10 minutes.

Benzema's ice-cold Panenka penalty was the final act in a Champions League classic and the second leg at the Bernabeu is going to be epic.

Benzema Panenka! Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid (Football Terrace)