Kylian Mbappe delivered a stunning hat-trick as Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 3-1 at the Bernabeu, advancing to the Champions League last 16 with a commanding 6-3 aggregate win. The French forward’s exceptional performance underscored Madrid’s dominance, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side with no answers in a match that highlighted the gulf between the two teams.
Manchester City, missing their star striker Erling Haaland due to injury, struggled to make an impact against the 15-time Champions League winners. Their only consolation came in stoppage time when Nico Gonzalez tapped in a rebound, but it was far too little, far too late.
Mbappe set the tone early, breaking the deadlock in the fourth minute with a clever lob over City goalkeeper Ederson. He doubled Madrid’s lead in the 33rd minute after a slick combination with teammates Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo. The Frenchman completed his hat-trick in the second half with a precise low strike from the edge of the box, taking his tally to seven goals in this season’s competition.
“We wanted to win and progress because it’s only natural for Real Madrid to be in the last 16 of the Champions League,” Mbappe said in a post-match interview. “We’re very strong at home, and today we played as a team, making our fans proud.”
Mbappe’s form has been nothing short of sensational, with 28 goals this season, including 18 in his last 18 appearances across all competitions. His brilliance has been a key factor in Madrid’s success, as they remain in contention for three major trophies this season.
For Guardiola, this marked the first time in his storied career that one of his teams failed to reach the Champions League round of 16. City, who won the competition in 2023, have been far from their best this campaign, and their struggles were evident in Madrid.
The absence of Haaland, who scored twice in the first leg but was sidelined with an injury, was a significant blow. Meanwhile, Madrid welcomed back Antonio Rudiger from injury, and the defender slotted seamlessly into the backline. Aurelien Tchouameni also returned to his preferred midfield role, adding stability to Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Madrid’s dominance was clear from the start. Mbappe’s opener came after a long pass from young center-back Raul Asencio, with the Frenchman shrugging off Ruben Dias before chipping Ederson. City’s woes deepened when John Stones limped off with an injury, further disrupting their plans.
Mbappe’s second goal was a product of Madrid’s attacking prowess, as Bellingham, Vinicius, and Rodrygo combined to set him up. His third was a moment of individual brilliance, as he created space on the edge of the box and fired past Ederson.
Despite Gonzalez’s late goal, City’s performance offered little hope for their fans. They now face a tough challenge in the Premier League, where they must battle to secure a top-four finish. Their next match is against league leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
Madrid, on the other hand, continue to chase glory on multiple fronts. Their next Champions League opponent will be either local rivals Atletico Madrid or German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
With Mbappe in scintillating form and the team firing on all cylinders, Real Madrid’s quest for another Champions League title looks increasingly promising.
Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies
