Kylian Mbappe delivered a stunning hat-trick as Real Madrid dominated Manchester City with a 3-1 victory to book their place in the Champions League last 16. The French forward was at his ruthless best, capping off three slick attacking moves to remind Europe of Madrid’s enduring strength on the biggest stage. From the opening whistle, Los Blancos looked sharp, and it took just four minutes for them to break the deadlock, with Raul Asencio’s pinpoint pass setting up Mbappe for a delightful chip over Ederson. The summer signing almost doubled his tally soon after, forcing a sharp save from the City goalkeeper.
Madrid’s second arrived in the 34th minute, as a fluid attacking move tore through City’s defense. Jude Bellingham slipped a pass to Vinicius Jr, who squared it for Rodrygo. The Brazilian unselfishly found Mbappe, who cut inside before unleashing a powerful finish. The home side continued to dominate after the break, with their star forward at the heart of every attack. He completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark, dancing past Phil Foden before curling a precise shot into the bottom corner. The relentless pressure from Madrid could have yielded even more goals, as Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Bellingham all came close.
Manchester City, by contrast, looked nothing like the side that won the treble in 2023. Pep Guardiola’s men struggled to string passes together, stifled by Madrid’s high press and Asencio’s brilliant defensive display. The usually dynamic City attack was toothless, failing to create clear-cut chances and often losing possession in dangerous areas. A late consolation goal from Nico Gonzalez did little to change the story of the match, as Madrid’s dominance had already been firmly established.
This emphatic victory sends a strong message to the rest of Europe: Real Madrid remain the team to beat. Their attacking fluency, defensive solidity, and ability to rise on the big occasion make them a formidable contender for yet another Champions League crown. Meanwhile, Guardiola has work to do to get City back to their best, as they looked far from the unstoppable force of previous seasons.
