Real Madrid reaffirmed their dominance in European football by eliminating Manchester City from the UEFA Champions League (UCL) knockout stages for the third time in four seasons. A brilliant hat-trick from Kylian Mbappé propelled them to a 3-1 victory on the night, securing an emphatic 6-3 aggregate win and a spot in the last 16.
The Santiago Bernabéu’s home crowd was cautiously optimistic before the game. They were aware that history was on their side because they had advanced in 37 of the 39 UCL knockout matches in which they had won the first leg away. Real Madrid scored within the first four minutes, almost instantly rewarding that confidence. Raúl Asencio’s long ball took Manchester City’s defence by surprise. Madrid took an early lead when Mbappé easily chipped the ball over City goalkeeper Ederson after Rúben Dias miscalculated the ball’s flight.
Madrid continued to dominate, pressing forward relentlessly. English midfielder Jude Bellingham came close to doubling the lead with a header that went just wide. However, the best moment of the first half came in the 33rd minute. Vinícius Júnior played a ball inside to Rodrygo, who flicked it to Mbappé. The French forward skillfully turned past Joško Gvardiol and struck the ball inside Ederson’s near post, making it 2-0 on the night.
Manchester City, playing without their star striker Erling Haaland, struggled to create chances. Their frustration continued in the second half as Madrid remained in control. In the 62nd minute, Mbappé completed his hat-trick in style. Cutting inside past Phil Foden, he curled a beautiful left-footed shot from the edge of the box into the net, leaving Ederson with no chance.
Omar Marmoush’s free kick struck the crossbar and rebounded for Nico González to knock in, giving City a consolation goal in stoppage time. However, it was too late and too little. Real Madrid easily advanced to the round of 16, where they will face either the formidable Bayer Leverkusen or their city rivals Atletico Madrid.
