Kylian Mbappe delivered a dazzling hat-trick as defending Champions League winners Real Madrid eased past Manchester City with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday, securing a 6-3 aggregate win and a place in the last 16.
Pep Guardiola’s side endured a frustrating early exit, failing to trouble the dominant 15-time champions until Nico Gonzalez tapped in a consolation goal in stoppage time.
Mbappe set the tone early, lobbing City goalkeeper Ederson in the fourth minute after latching onto a long pass from Raul Asencio. He doubled Madrid’s lead in the first half, capping off a slick attacking move that carved through City’s defense. The French superstar, now in blistering form after a slow start in Madrid, completed his treble in the second half with a precise low strike from the edge of the box, bringing his Champions League tally to seven goals in 10 appearances this season.
City, the 2023 Champions League winners, looked a shadow of their former selves, struggling throughout a disappointing campaign. Guardiola’s preparations took a hit before kick-off, with Erling Haaland—who scored twice in the first leg—relegated to the bench after suffering a knock against Newcastle.
In contrast, Real Madrid welcomed Antonio Rudiger back from injury, slotting seamlessly into defense, while Aurelien Tchouameni returned to his preferred midfield role. Carlo Ancelotti’s side dominated from the outset, executing their game plan flawlessly.
Mbappe’s opener came as he shrugged off Ruben Dias and lifted the ball over Ederson after Asencio’s pinpoint pass. City’s woes deepened when John Stones limped off shortly after, adding to their growing injury concerns.
Madrid continued to pile on the pressure. Fede Valverde saw a shot deflected narrowly wide, and Ederson denied Mbappe after Tchouameni played him through with another well-weighted ball over the top.
Mbappe’s second arrived in the 33rd minute after Madrid’s attacking stars combined beautifully. Jude Bellingham played in Vinicius Jr., who rolled the ball across for Rodrygo, setting up Mbappe to finish clinically at the near post after wrong-footing Josko Gvardiol.
Guardiola had earlier suggested City had just a “one percent chance” of overturning the deficit—and his players performed as if they believed him.
Madrid’s only blemish on an otherwise perfect night was a yellow card for Bellingham, ruling him out of the first leg of the last 16. The Englishman, who was recently sent off for dissent in La Liga, was composed in midfield, but the night belonged to Mbappe.
The 26-year-old sealed his hat-trick just past the hour mark, creating space on the edge of the box before rifling a shot past Ederson as City’s defense stood motionless. He left the pitch to a standing ovation, with Madrid continuing to create chances in his absence but unable to add to their tally.
City pulled a goal back in stoppage time when Omar Marmoush’s free-kick rattled the crossbar, allowing Gonzalez to convert the rebound. However, it was little more than a footnote in an otherwise one-sided contest.
Guardiola’s side have now lost 13 of their last 26 matches across all competitions and face Premier League leaders Liverpool next, with a fight for a top-four finish on their hands.
Madrid, meanwhile, remain in contention for a treble and, with Mbappe in electrifying form, believe they can conquer Europe once again.
Awaiting them in the last 16 is a showdown with either city rivals Atletico Madrid or Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.