Real Madrid easily defeated 3-1 Man City on Wednesday in their Champions League playoff second leg at a raucous Santiago Bernabeu stadium, resulting in a 6-3 aggregate victory and a spot in the round of 16.
Depending on the outcome of Friday’s draw, last year’s champions will face either Bayer Leverkusen or city rivals Atletico Madrid in their quest for a record-extending 16th title.
Real Madrid Dominates Man City in UCL Playoff Second Leg
It was the first time in Man City coach Pep Guardiola’s illustrious career that one of his Champions League teams failed to advance past the round of 16.
“It was a perfect night,” Mbappe said.
It’s only natural for Real Madrid advance to the last 16 of the Champions League. We are very strong at home and it’s great to give joy to our fans.
Kylian Mbappe Hat-Trick Seals 6-3 Aggregate Victory for Real Madrid
Following a breathtaking first leg at the Etihad Stadium, which featured goals and individual brilliance from both sides, the return game was completely one-sided.
Real did not have to work too hard to defeat their sorry rivals, who failed to register a single shot on goal in the first half and appeared to be a shadow of Guardiola’s dominant force from previous seasons.
Pep Guardiola Man City Suffer Early UCL Exit
Already trailing 3-2 from the first game, City’s task became even more difficult an hour before kickoff when they announced a starting lineup missing leading striker Erling Haaland, who suffered a knee injury over the weekend.
Real took complete control of the game from the start and never looked threatened, with the hapless visitors fortunate not to lose by a larger margin.
Erling Haaland Absence Weakens Man City Attack
Mbappe opened the scoring in Real’s first attack in the fourth minute, taking advantage of another massive error by City’s defence when captain Ruben Dias missed his header, leaving the French forward free to send over the onrushing Ederson.
Things got worse for the English team when defender John Stones was injured two minutes later, forcing Guardiola to bring Nathan Ake off the bench and burn an early substitution.
Mbappe Brilliance Shines in Santiago Bernabeu Rout
Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham toyed with City’s complacent defence, keeping the ball on the deck and creating several chances before Mbappe scored again in the 33rd minute with a close-range strike following a humiliating cutback that left defender Josko Gvardiol on the ground.
Real came out just as strong after the break, with Mbappe scoring his third goal in the 61st minute with a left-footed strike from the edge of the box that went just inside Ederson’s right post.
Real Madrid UCL Journey Continues with Last 16 Berth
The hosts kept piling on the pressure and wasting chances, with Ederson making fine saves to deny Mbappe and Rodrygo, but as the game came to a close, they took their foot off the gas and cruised to victory.
Nico Gonzalez scored a late compensation goal for City after Omar Marmoush’s free-kick bounced off the crossbar, but it did little to tarnish the Spaniards’ fantastic night.
Can Real Madrid Win Their 16th Champions League Title?
It was Real and City’s fifth Champions League knockout match in six seasons, and Carlo Ancelotti’s side defeated Guardiola’s team for the second year in a row.
In the previous three seasons, the team that emerged victorious from their new-era European classic won the title: Real in 2022 and 2024, and City in 2023.
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