Kylian Mbappe delivered a stunning hat-trick as Real Madrid secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, advancing to the last 16 with a 6-3 aggregate win.
This marks the third time in the last four seasons that Real Madrid has eliminated Manchester City at this stage of the competition.
The match at the Bernabeu began with Real Madrid asserting their dominance early. Just four minutes in, Raul Asencio’s long ball was misjudged by Ruben Dias, allowing Mbappe to calmly chip the ball over the stranded Ederson to open the scoring. Mbappe’s early goal set the tone for the night, giving the hosts a crucial advantage.
The French forward struck again in the 33rd minute, showcasing his brilliance with a deft touch to evade Josko Gvardiol before slotting the ball past Ederson at the near post.
This goal came after a well-worked move involving Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, further solidifying Real Madrid’s control of the tie.
Manchester City, missing the presence of Erling Haaland, struggled to create meaningful chances throughout the match. Their attacking woes continued in the second half, as Real Madrid maintained their grip on the game.
Mbappe completed his hat-trick in style, cutting inside Phil Foden and curling a left-footed shot into the net from the edge of the box.
Despite a late consolation goal from Nico Gonzalez in stoppage time, Manchester City looked dejected and outclassed on the night.
Real Madrid’s relentless performance ensured they progressed comfortably, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side looking every bit the favorites to go deep in the competition once again.
Real Madrid, the 15-time Champions League winners, will now face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.
With Mbappe in scintillating form and the team firing on all cylinders, Los Blancos will be confident of continuing their quest for another European title.
Real Madrid’s victory not only highlights their pedigree in the Champions League but also underscores the growing influence of Kylian Mbappe, who continues to shine on the biggest stage.
Manchester City, meanwhile, will need to regroup as they turn their attention to domestic competitions.
