Real Madrid delivered a stunning performance at the Santiago Bernabeu, defeating Manchester City 3-1 in the second leg of their Champions League knockout play-off.
A spectacular hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe ensured a 6-3 aggregate victory for the Spanish giants, sending Pep Guardiola’s side packing.
Mbappe Wastes No Time
The French superstar made an immediate impact, scoring within the first four minutes. A long ball over the top exposed Manchester City’s defense, and a slip from Ruben Dias allowed Mbappe to lob Ederson with ease.
The early goal shook City, and their problems worsened when John Stones had to leave the pitch injured after a seemingly harmless challenge.
Real Madrid, smelling blood, kept pushing forward. Mbappe was relentless, making darting runs and keeping the City defense on high alert.
Second Goal Before Half-Time
Real Madrid’s attack was relentless. In the 34th minute, Rodrygo played a clever short pass to Mbappe, who made a brilliant move past Josko Gvardiol and slammed the ball into the net. The Bernabeu erupted as City found themselves trailing by two goals before half-time.
Manchester City struggled to respond. Their usually dominant midfield was overrun, and their attack lacked any sharpness. They failed to register a single shot on target in the first hour of play.
Mbappe Completes His Hat-Trick
The second half continued in the same fashion, with Madrid controlling the tempo. Mbappe sealed his hat-trick in the 60th minute. A perfectly placed pass found him inside the box, and he skipped past Phil Foden before striking a low shot into the far corner.
With that goal, Real Madrid crushed any hopes of a City comeback. The home fans roared as their team played with confidence, knowing they had secured a place in the next round.
Nico Gonzalez Scores Consolation Goal
Manchester City finally showed some fight in the last 15 minutes. They managed their first shot on target and, in added time, got a consolation goal.
Omar Marmoush’s free-kick hit the crossbar, and Nico Gonzalez was there to turn in the rebound. A quick VAR check confirmed the goal, but it was too little, too late.
Pep Guardiola accepted defeat graciously. “The best team won,” he admitted. “We didn’t play our best Champions League football this season. We move on and focus on the Premier League.”
Ancelotti Praises Madrid’s Performance
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was full of praise for his players. “Our goal was to be strong defensively, and we did that,” he said. “We know we have attacking quality, and Mbappe showed his class tonight.”
When asked if he was surprised by City’s lack of creativity, Ancelotti responded, “A little bit. We forced them into mistakes and defended as a unit. That was key to our success.”
What’s Next for Manchester City?
Manchester City must now shift focus to the English Premier League. Their next match is a high-stakes clash against Liverpool. Guardiola emphasized the need to bounce back quickly, saying, “Our objective is clear: beat Liverpool and secure Champions League qualification for next season.”
Real Madrid March On
For Real Madrid, this victory proves their Champions League dominance once again. With Mbappe in top form and Jude Bellingham pulling the strings in midfield, they look like serious contenders for the title.
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