Manchester City watched their Champions League adventure come to a thumping end on Wednesday night as they fell to a 3-1 drumming in the Spanish capital.
Suffering an infamous European collapse on home soil last week and travelling to Madrid chasing a one-goal deficit, Pep Guardiola’s men were completely dominated from the opening whistle.
Attempting to reverse a 3-2 deficit, City got off to a nightmare start at the Bernabeu as Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the first four minuets and sent the home support into overdrive.
With the French icon doubling Madrid’s lead just after the half hour mark, it was certainly the 26-year-old who stole all of the headlines on Wednesday night.
Bagging a famous Champions League hat-trick after producing a sublime driven effort after 61 minutes, the former PSG superstar rightfully received a standing ovation from the Bernabeu.
Storming their way to a dominant 6-3 aggregate win, Real Madrid will now face either Bayer Leverkusen on bitter local rival Atletico Madrid in the last 16.
With attacking talisman Erling Haaland left as an unused substitute after sustaining a blow to his knee last weekend, City failed to find any kind of fluidity in the final third.
While January recruit Nico Gonzalez might have tapped home from close range in the dying moments as City grabbed a consolation strike, it was a desperate night for the Sky Blues.
On a night when Real Madrid underlined their status as a leading Champions League contender, we have taken a look at the main talking points from the Bernabeu.
Madrid collect a heavyweight scalp
While Real Madrid might have been frustrated this season as they missed out on a top-eight finish, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad are rightfully still regarded as a standout candidate to defend their Champions League crown in 2025.
Making real history last season as they claimed a 15th European title, Wednesday’s hosts certainly sent a real statement to the rest of Europe’s elite here.
Although Madrid might have sacrificed their spot at the top of the La Liga table after enduring a minor domestic rut over the past few weeks, Los Blancos collected another heavyweight scalp on home soil.
Signing off their group stage campaign with a routine 3-0 victory away at French outfit Brest, the former AC Milan boss has seen his side find top gear at a crucial time.
Breezing past the Premier League giants on Wednesday night and hardly having to get out of third gear, Madrid have now won all of their previous five European showdowns by an aggregate score of 17-6.
Mbappe steals all of the headlines in Madrid
Sending shockwaves across the footballing globe last summer after completing a blockbuster free switch from PSG, Mbappe has quickly cemented his spot as Madrid’s new poster boy.
Finding the net away at the Etihad last week and with Haaland forced to watch on from the sidelines, the French superstar certainly stole all of the headlines on Wednesday night.
With the 26-year-old making it abundantly clear that he is focused on getting his hands on a maiden Champions League title this season, Mbappe has enjoyed a remarkable run of form since opening up the New Year.
Putting Man City to the sword here and notching a sensational European hat-trick, the future Ballon d’Or winner has now notched six goals in just his previous four appearances across all competitions.
Likewise, set to play a leading role in Madrid’s charge to break more Champions League records this season, the former PSG talisman has also registered 14 strikes since returning from Spain’s festive break.
More European frustration for Guardiola’s camp
Putting in dominant display last weekend as they claimed a 4-0 romp at home against Newcastle, Manchester City travelled over to Madrid on Wednesday night know that they needed a Champions League miracle.
Suffering what was an infamous European collapse at the Etihad last week as they eventually fell to a 3-2 defeat, Guardiola’s side were completely dominated across the park here.
Hit with their earliest Champions League exit since they shockingly failed to progress out of the group stage during the 2012/13 campaign, City have shown a string of issues on the European stage this season.
Coming under plenty of scrutiny last month as they slumped to a 4-2 defeat away at PSG, Guardiola’s side have now lost four of their previous five Champions League appearances.
Set for another public backlash over the coming days, City now certainly face the prospect of ending this season without a single piece of silverware to show for their troubles.
Match Facts
Real Madrid: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Mbappe
Subs: Alaba, Camavinga, Modric, Endrick, Diaz
Manchester City: Ederson, Khusanov, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Gonzalez, Silva, Gundogan, Foden, Savinho, Marmoush
Subs: Kovacic, McAtee, Ake
Goals: Real Madrid: Mbappe (4’, 33’, 61’) – Manchester City: Gonzalez (90+2’)
Yellow Cards: Real Madrid: Bellingham – Manchester City: Gonzalez, Gundigan
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Istvan Kovacs
