Madrid will hope not to rue a string of missed chances late in the game, with City goalkeeper Joe Hart and the woodwork both thwarting their attacks.
Zinedine Zidane's side, without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, were reserved in the first half but came out as the stronger side after the break -- but could not find a vital away goal to take back to the Bernabeu next week.
City looked far the more adventurous side in the opening exchanges, but neither side could muster a shot on goal.
Nicolas Otamendi was the first to manage anything like an effort in the 27th minute, but David Silva's cross was too high for the Argentine and he could only loop a header out of play.
Kevin De Bruyne had a shot blocked while Gareth Bale saw a shot come off a defender and fall harmlessly for Hart.
City lost Silva to an injury six minutes before the break, Kelechi Iheanacho coming off the bench in his place.
Karim Benzema then launched an effort way, way over the bar in the final minute of a disappointing half for goal-mouth chances.
Sergio Aguero finally got a sight on goal in the first minute of the second half, but he lifted his effort over the bar from the edge of the area.
Sergio Ramos had a good opportunity in the 54th minute, but his free header from a corner was straight at Hart.
Tony Kroos then harmlessly hit a tame shot wide in the 66th minute.
And Madrid came close again in the 71st minute as Jese's header hit the top of the bar, then Luka Modric shot over from distance as the La Liga outfit began to take control of the game.
Bale was next to try his luck, but curled a shot wide when looking for the opposite corner.
Hart was then forced into a smart save from Casemiro's header from a corner.
The England goalkeeper's string of saves was added to in the 82nd minute when he made a superb point-blank stop from Pepe, who found himself unmarked inside the six-yard box.
De Bruyne forced Keylor Navas to tip an injury-time free kick over the bar -- the closest City had come all game.
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