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Kylian Mbappe delivered a sensational hat-trick as Champions League holders Real Madrid eased past Manchester City with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday, securing their place in the last 16 with a commanding 6-3 aggregate triumph.
Pep Guardiola’s side, missing key striker Erling Haaland, struggled to impose themselves at the Santiago Bernabeu and only managed a late consolation goal through Nico Gonzalez in stoppage time.
Mbappe wasted no time stamping his authority on the match, lobbing Ederson in the fourth minute after shrugging off Ruben Dias. The French star doubled Madrid’s lead before halftime with a clinical finish after a slick move involving Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo.
The 26-year-old completed his treble in the second half, driving a low shot past Ederson from the edge of the box, taking his tally to seven goals in the tournament this season.
“We wanted to win and go through because, for us, it was logical that Real Madrid would be in the last 16,” Mbappe told Movistar. The forward, who has now scored 28 times this season, added: “Making my dream come true is one thing, but I want to play well here, mark an era, and make history at Real Madrid.”
Guardiola’s side, who won the competition in 2023, never looked like defending their title. They were second-best throughout, and the City boss admitted as much after the match.
City were hit with a setback even before kick-off when Haaland, who scored twice in the first leg, was ruled unfit to start after picking up a knock against Newcastle at the weekend. Their evening worsened when John Stones limped off early in the game.
Madrid, by contrast, were flawless. Their fantastic four of Bellingham, Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Mbappe combined beautifully for the second goal, with Mbappe leaving City defender Josko Gvardiol flailing before slotting in at the near post.
Mbappe’s third goal sealed the result, as he found space on the edge of the box and unleashed an unstoppable shot past Ederson, sending Madrid fans into raptures.
Even City’s late goal, when Omar Marmoush’s free-kick rebounded off the crossbar for Gonzalez to tap in, did little to take the shine off Madrid’s dominant display.
With City now eliminated, their focus shifts to salvaging their domestic campaign. Guardiola’s side have lost 13 of their last 26 games across all competitions and face Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday in a crucial match for their top-four hopes.
Madrid, meanwhile, remain in contention for three major trophies. Their next Champions League test will be against either city rivals Atletico Madrid or German champions Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.
“We played a complete game in attack, defence, possession, and transition,” said a satisfied Carlo Ancelotti. And with Mbappe in this kind of form, Madrid’s dream of a record-extending 16th Champions League title looks very much alive.
