Real Madrid have secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after a dominant 6-3 aggregate win over Manchester City in the knockout play-off round.
The Spanish giants did the hard work in the first leg at the Etihad, coming from behind to snatch a 3-2 victory. Back at the Bernabeu, they finished the job in style with a 3-1 triumph, thanks to a stunning hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe’s Magic Seals the Win
Real Madrid wasted no time taking control of the game, with Mbappe making an early impact. A well-placed long pass over City’s defense found the French forward, who skillfully lobbed the ball over Ederson to open the scoring.
With momentum firmly in Madrid’s favor, Mbappe struck again before halftime. Played through on goal, he unleashed a powerful shot towards the near post, but Ederson managed to block it. However, Madrid kept pressing, and soon after, Mbappe found the net again, extending the lead.
The hat-trick was completed just over an hour into the match. Using his quick footwork, he easily got past Phil Foden on the edge of the box before curling a perfect left-footed strike into the bottom corner. The goal sealed Madrid’s dominance and left City struggling for answers.
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City’s Late Consolation Goal
Despite Madrid’s commanding performance, City refused to leave empty-handed. They had a brief spell of pressure in the final 20 minutes, with Foden testing Thibaut Courtois. Their persistence paid off when Nico Gonzalez, a recent January signing, turned in a rebound after Omar Marmoush’s free-kick struck the crossbar. However, it was too little, too late.
Madrid’s Champions League Ambitions
With this victory, Real Madrid continue their pursuit of a 16th Champions League title. Manager Carlo Ancelotti had previously stated that the winner of this tie could go on to lift the trophy in Munich. Given their strong form, Madrid will be a feared opponent in the later stages of the tournament.
Their ability to fight back in the first leg and then dominate in the second has shown why they remain one of Europe’s most elite clubs. Other teams in the competition will now be wary of Madrid’s strength and resilience as they push for another European triumph.
