Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, securing a 6-3 aggregate victory and advancing to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League. The French forward's goals came in the fourth, 33rd, and 61st minutes, overwhelming a struggling City side. Erling Haaland, nursing a knee injury, remained on the bench throughout the match.
Real Madrid, the defending champions, hosted Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League knockout tie on Thursday. The Spanish side carried a 3-2 lead from the first leg in Manchester, and they quickly asserted dominance. In the fourth minute, Raúl Asencio lofted a long ball that Ruben Dias failed to clear under pressure from Mbappé, allowing the striker to lob the ball over goalkeeper Ederson, who had advanced too far.
Manchester City's troubles deepened moments later when defender John Stones suffered an injury under challenge from Vinícius Júnior and was substituted by Nathan Aké. Mbappé doubled the lead in the 33rd minute, finishing a smooth team move initiated by Rodrygo's pass, turning sharply to beat Ederson.
The first half's only setback for Madrid was a yellow card to Jude Bellingham, resulting in his suspension for the first leg of the next round. Rodrygo and Federico Valverde came close to a third goal before the break, with Ederson appearing unsteady.
Mbappé completed his hat-trick in the 61st minute, cutting in from the right and striking with his left foot. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had welcomed back Antonio Rüdiger from injury, enabling tactical adjustments with Asencio at right-back and Valverde in midfield.
City, already fragile defensively, offered little threat until Nico González's 92nd-minute consolation goal, set up by Omar Marmoush's free kick that struck the bar. Pep Guardiola chose not to introduce Haaland, who had scored twice in the first leg despite his injury. Madrid's comfortable progression highlights their strength in Europe, while City exit early for the second consecutive season.
