Real Madrid advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League after defeating Manchester City 3-1 in a decisive encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Kylian Mbappe, the French forward, delivered an outstanding performance with a hat-trick that dismantled the Premier League champions. This victory marks another setback for Pep Guardiola's side, who have now faced 13 defeats in their last 26 matches across all competitions. As Madrid prepares to face Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday, they also contend with a challenging battle to finish in La Liga's top four.
The match commenced with Real Madrid seizing control from the outset. Mbappe broke the deadlock with a deft lob in the fourth minute, setting the tone for Madrid's dominance. Jude Bellingham orchestrated a clever play, feeding Vinicius, who then rolled the ball across for Rodrygo to nudge it to Mbappe, resulting in an exquisite second goal. By the hour mark, Mbappe completed his hat-trick with a superb individual effort, solidifying Madrid's lead and leaving City struggling to respond.
“We wanted to win and go through because, for us, it was logical that Real Madrid would be in the last 16 of the Champions League.” – Mbappe
Despite their victory, Madrid's campaign was not without blemish. Bellingham received a booking for fouling England teammate Phil Foden, while City endured further misfortune as John Stones limped off, adding to their mounting woes. The reigning Premier League champions appeared far from their usual best, echoing much of their campaign's struggles.
Mbappe's performance has been pivotal for Real Madrid this season. With 28 goals under his belt, including 18 in his last 18 matches, his contribution has been invaluable. His brilliance on Wednesday night was complemented by Madrid's near-flawless execution and tactical prowess that left City unable to muster a significant challenge.
“We know that at home, we are very strong, and we played as a team in the best way, and we made Madrid fans very happy.” – Mbappe
As Real Madrid basks in their triumph over City, they now await the outcome of the draw to determine their next opponent in the last 16. The options include either local rivals Atletico or German champions Bayer Leverkusen. Meanwhile, Manchester City will need to regroup and address their inconsistencies as they focus on domestic challenges ahead.
