Real Madrid secured their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 3-1 victory over Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu, sealing a 6-3 aggregate win. In a game filled with high intensity and quality football, Kylian Mbappé and Marco Asensio were the standout performers, leading Los Blancos to a convincing triumph over the defending champions.
First Half: Mbappé’s Early Brilliance
Coming into the game with a 3-2 advantage from the first leg, Real Madrid wasted no time asserting their dominance. Just four minutes into the match, Kylian Mbappé capitalized on a defensive lapse from Rúben Dias to slot home the opening goal, sending the home crowd into raptures. The Frenchman continued to torment City’s backline with his pace and precision.
Madrid doubled their lead in the 33rd minute, with Marco Asensio playing a crucial role. The Spanish playmaker delivered a perfectly timed pass to Mbappé, who calmly finished past Ederson to put Real Madrid in firm control of the tie. Manchester City struggled to break through Madrid’s well-organized defense, with Thibaut Courtois making a key save to deny Phil Foden just before halftime.
Second Half: Madrid’s Control and City’s Struggles
The second half saw a desperate Manchester City pushing for a way back into the match, but Madrid’s midfield, led by Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde, maintained control of possession and dictated the tempo. In the 61st minute, Mbappé completed his hat-trick in spectacular fashion, curling a left-footed strike from the edge of the box into the bottom corner, effectively putting the tie beyond City’s reach.
Pep Guardiola’s side continued to press forward, but Real Madrid’s defensive resilience kept them at bay. City managed a late consolation goal in stoppage time, with Nicolás González finding the net, but it was far from enough to alter the outcome of the tie.
Key Performances
Kylian Mbappé was undoubtedly the star of the night, with his hat-trick showcasing his world-class finishing ability. Marco Asensio also delivered an outstanding performance, providing crucial attacking support and an assist. At the back, Antonio Rüdiger and Dani Carvajal ensured that City’s attacking threats were neutralized, while Courtois made vital saves to maintain Madrid’s lead.
For Manchester City, their struggles were evident, especially with the absence of key defender John Stones, who had to be substituted early due to injury, and Erling Haaland, who was ruled out with a knee problem. City’s attacking play lacked its usual sharpness, and despite maintaining 52% possession, they managed only four shots on target compared to Madrid’s eight.
Post-Match Reactions
In the post-match press conference, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his side’s disciplined performance, highlighting Mbappé’s brilliance and Asensio’s impact. Mbappé, speaking after the match, credited the team’s collective effort and emphasized Madrid’s ambition to reclaim the Champions League title.
On the other side, Pep Guardiola conceded that Madrid was the superior side over both legs. He lamented his team’s defensive errors and their inability to capitalize on key moments. Defender Nathan Aké echoed his manager’s sentiments, stressing the need for resilience as City shift their focus back to domestic competitions.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Real Madrid moves into the quarter-finals and solidifies their status as a top contender for the title. They now await their next opponent, which could be either Bayer Leverkusen or city rivals Atlético Madrid. Meanwhile, Manchester City will have to regroup as they turn their attention to defending their Premier League crown.
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Story by Annang Samuel Yartey Kafui
