Real Madrid delivered a stellar performance at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday night, securing a 3-1 victory over Manchester City in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff tie. The result handed Los Blancos a 6-3 aggregate triumph, propelling them into the round of 16 and ending City’s hopes of advancing in the competition. Kylian Mbappé stole the show with a sensational hat-trick, reaffirming his status as one of the world’s elite talents and sending a raucous home crowd into delirium.
The match, a pivotal encounter between two of Europe’s footballing giants, showcased Real Madrid’s resilience and attacking prowess, while exposing Manchester City’s ongoing struggles this season. Coming off a 3-2 win in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium on February 11, Real Madrid entered the contest with a slender lead, but Mbappé ensured there would be no doubt about the outcome.
The French superstar wasted no time asserting his dominance. Just 196 seconds into the match, Mbappé latched onto a long ball over the top, outpacing City’s defense and delicately lobbing goalkeeper Éderson from the edge of the box. The early strike set the tone, putting Manchester City on the back foot with a two-goal aggregate deficit to overcome.
Mbappé wasn’t done. In the 33rd minute, he showcased his dazzling footwork, humiliating City defender Josko Gvardiol with a deft cutback before firing a close-range shot into the net. The Bernabéu erupted as Real Madrid extended their lead to 2-0 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate. His third goal, a low, bouncing effort rifled into the far post just after the hour mark, came seconds after he appeared to tweak an injury—silencing any concerns about his fitness and sealing his first Champions League hat-trick at the iconic stadium.
“It was a perfect night,” Mbappé said post-match. “We’re very strong at home, and it’s great to give joy to our fans. It’s only logical that Real Madrid advance to the last 16 of the Champions League.”
Manchester City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, arrived in Madrid desperate to overturn their first-leg deficit but were dealt a blow before kickoff. Star striker Erling Haaland, who had scored twice in the opening leg, was ruled out with a knee injury sustained over the weekend, forcing Guardiola to reshuffle his attack. The absence of Haaland, coupled with the exclusion of Kevin De Bruyne as a precautionary measure, left City toothless for much of the evening.
The Premier League champions failed to register a shot on target in the first half, a stark contrast to their usual dominance under Guardiola. Defensive errors compounded their woes, with captain Rúben Dias misjudging a header to gift Mbappé his opener, while Gvardiol was left sprawling for the second. Despite a late consolation goal from Nico González in stoppage time—tapping in after Omar Marmoush’s free kick struck the crossbar—City’s performance was a shadow of their past brilliance.
For Guardiola, this marks an unprecedented low in his Champions League tenure. It’s the first time one of his teams has failed to reach the round of 16, a damning statistic for a manager synonymous with European success. “We’re not at our best right now,” Guardiola admitted. “We need to regroup and find solutions, but credit to Madrid—they were clinical.”
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s execution, highlighting their ability to exploit City’s vulnerabilities. “We stayed calm and took our chances,” Ancelotti said. “Kylian was extraordinary, but the whole team worked hard to make this happen. It’s only one step, though—there’s still a long road ahead.”
The victory was underpinned by a disciplined defensive effort, with makeshift right-back Fede Valverde and young center-back Asencio standing tall. Jude Bellingham, a constant menace in midfield, also played a key role in linking play, while Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo stretched City’s backline with their pace. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, meanwhile, was rarely tested but remained a steady presence when called upon.
What’s Next?
With this win, Real Madrid advance to the last 16, where they will face either Bayer Leverkusen or city rivals Atlético Madrid, depending on Friday’s draw. The result keeps alive their pursuit of a record-extending 16th Champions League title, a testament to their enduring pedigree in the competition.
For Manchester City, the loss signals an early exit from Europe and raises further questions about their direction. Despite a recent 4-0 league win over Newcastle, their inconsistent form and aging squad suggest a rebuild may be on the horizon. Guardiola’s “1% chance” prediction before the match proved optimistic, and the focus now shifts to salvaging their domestic campaign.
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