Champions League: Mbappe's Hat-Trick Sends Real Madrid to Last-16
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Synopsis
Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick propelled Real Madrid to a 3-1 victory over Manchester City, securing a place in the UEFA Champions League last 16 with a 6-3 aggregate. The match showcased Madrid's dominance, with key players contributing to their success at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick.
- Real Madrid won 3-1 against Manchester City.
- The aggregate score was 6-3.
- Erling Haaland sat out due to injury.
- Jude Bellingham received a yellow card and will be suspended.
Madrid, Feb 20 (NationPress) Kylian Mbappe netted a stunning hat-trick as Real Madrid advanced into the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Thursday (IST), triumphing 3-1 over Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. This victory secured a 6-3 aggregate win following last week's 3-2 triumph in Manchester.
City's striker Erling Haaland was nursing a knee injury, which led to him starting on the bench, while his team struggled throughout the match, showing vulnerability in defense and lacking offensive potency until late in the game, as reported by Xinhua.
Real Madrid's coach Carlo Ancelotti welcomed back Antonio Rudiger from injury, permitting him to field Raul Asencio at right-back and shift Federico Valverde into midfield.
In the fourth minute, Asencio delivered a long pass that Ruben Dias failed to intercept under pressure from Mbappe, who skillfully lifted the ball over City's goalkeeper Ederson, who was caught out of position.
City's troubles compounded a minute later when John Stones went down due to pressure from Vinicius and had to be substituted by Nathan Ake.
Mbappe extended Madrid's lead in the 33rd minute, concluding a brilliant team move that saw Rodrygo assist him for a turn and finish.
The only setback for Madrid in the first half was a yellow card for Jude Bellingham, which means he will miss the first leg of the next round.
Rodrygo and Valverde both came close to scoring Madrid's third, with Ederson appearing shaky before Mbappe completed his hat-trick by cutting in from the right and scoring with his left foot in the 61st minute.
The third goal effectively extinguished any chance Manchester City had of a comeback, leading Pep Guardiola to refrain from risking Haaland in a lost cause, while Nico Gonzalez’sOmar Marmoush that hit the Madrid crossbar, was merely a consolation.
