Kylian Mbappé’s sensational hat-trick propelled Real Madrid to a commanding 3-1 victory over Manchester City on Wednesday, knocking the English side out of the Champions League and securing Los Blancos’ spot in the last 16 with a 6-3 aggregate win.
Mbappé started the scoring early, lofting a deft lob over City goalkeeper Ederson in the 4th minute after shrugging off Ruben Dias, setting the tone for a night of dominance at the Santiago Bernabéu. The French superstar doubled the lead just before halftime, finishing off a slick team move involving Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, and Rodrygo.
The 26-year-old forward completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark, firing a low strike from the edge of the box as City’s defense stood off, bringing his tally to seven goals in the competition this season and 28 across all competitions. Mbappé’s explosive form has been pivotal for Real Madrid, especially after a slow start to his time in Spain.
Manchester City, missing key striker Erling Haaland due to injury, struggled to threaten Madrid’s defense throughout the match. Pep Guardiola’s side managed a consolation goal in stoppage time when Omar Marmoush’s free-kick hit the crossbar, and Nico González tapped in the rebound. However, it was too little, too late for the visitors.
“We played a complete game in attack, defense, possession, and transition,” said a satisfied Carlo Ancelotti after the match. “Tonight belonged to Mbappé, but it was a team effort.”
The defeat adds to City’s recent woes, having lost 13 of their last 26 matches across all competitions. They face Premier League leaders Liverpool next, in what is shaping up to be a crucial match for their hopes of finishing in the top four.
In contrast, Real Madrid are in the running for multiple trophies this season. With Mbappé in sensational form, Los Blancos fans are optimistic about their team’s chances. The Spanish giants await their opponent in the last 16, set to face either city rivals Atlético Madrid or German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Mbappé received a standing ovation as he left the pitch, a testament to his impact on the game and growing stature at the club. For teenage and young adult fans around the world, his performance was nothing short of inspiring.
