Kylian Mbappé delivered an unforgettable performance as he scored a hat-trick, leading Real Madrid to a commanding 3-1 victory over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase. The win at the Santiago Bernabéu secured a 6-3 aggregate triumph for the La Liga side.
The evening took a downturn for City early on after John Stones was forced off due to injury, shortly after Mbappé put Madrid ahead within the first four minutes. Raúl Asencio’s precise long pass found Mbappé, who outmuscled the City defense to lob the ball over goalkeeper Ederson. This goal marked the earliest a goal was conceded by City in Champions League play since October 2018.
Mbappé doubled the lead in the 33rd minute after a well-executed team move, again showcasing his skill as he finished comfortably past Ederson. Notably, City managed only one shot in the first half—its fewest in the opening period of a Champions League match since March 2017.
Mbappé completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark, cutting inside from the right and slotting a left-footed shot into the far corner. Though City managed to pull a goal back in stoppage time through Nico González, it proved to be mere consolation, ending their European campaign for the season.
This defeat marks a significant moment for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, as this is the first time he has been eliminated from the Champions League before the round of 16 in his long managerial career. For Real Madrid, this victory extends their impressive knockout stage record to nine matches without a loss.
Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick also sets a notable marker in Champions League history, as he has now scored seven goals in the competition this season—tying him with legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Justo Tejada for the joint-most goals by a player in their debut Champions League season for the club.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid will prepare for a matchup in the last 16 against either Bayer Leverkusen or Atlético Madrid, with the draw scheduled for Friday.
This match underscores the continuous excellence of Real Madrid in Europe’s top competition and boosts hopes for another deep run this season.