Kylian Mbappe hat trick hero, once again proved why he is the new King of the Galacticos, as he delivered a Champions League masterclass, scoring a sensational hat-trick to fire Real Madrid past Manchester City with a dominant 3-1 victory. The French superstar was unstoppable at the Santiago Bernabeu, tearing apart City’s defense and leading Los Blancos to an emphatic triumph that secures their place in the Champions League last 16.
With Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, and Jude Bellingham in top form, Real Madrid demonstrated why they remain the team to beat in Europe. Manchester City, on the other hand, looked like a shadow of their former selves, struggling to cope with Madrid’s relentless attacking display.
Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Man City: Kylian Mbappe Hat Trick hero Masterclass Seals Champions League Playoff Spot
First Half: Real Madrid Set the Tone Early
Los Blancos wasted no time asserting their dominance, scoring within the first four minutes. Raul Asencio delivered a stunning long pass to Kylian Mbappe, who made no mistake, chipping the ball over Ederson to give Madrid the lead.
Mbappe nearly doubled his tally minutes later with a fierce strike, but Ederson produced a fine save. However, there was no stopping the Frenchman in the 34th minute. A beautifully crafted team move saw Jude Bellingham find Vinicius Jr, who squared the ball to Rodrygo. The Brazilian, instead of going for goal, selflessly assisted Mbappe, who cut inside and rifled a powerful shot past Ederson to make it 2-0.
City struggled to create clear chances, with Phil Foden and Erling Haaland looking isolated. The visitors lacked their usual sharpness, and Madrid capitalized on every mistake.
Second Half: Mbappe Completes His Hat-Trick & Madrid Cruise to Victory
Madrid picked up where they left off after the break. With City struggling to keep possession, Mbappe completed his hat-trick in the 61st minute. The Frenchman dribbled past Phil Foden before curling a stunning shot into the bottom corner, sealing a memorable night for the home side.
Madrid could have had more, with Vinicius Jr missing a golden opportunity and Rodrygo coming close on multiple occasions. Meanwhile, City’s attack remained toothless, with Real Madrid’s defense—led by Asencio and Rudiger—keeping them quiet.
A late consolation goal from Nico Gonzalez in the dying moments did little to affect the outcome, as Real Madrid marched into the last 16 with a statement win over the reigning Premier League champions.
GOAL Ratings: Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Goalkeeper & Defense
Thibaut Courtois (7/10)
- Barely tested throughout the game. Made a couple of routine saves but was powerless to stop City’s late goal.
Federico Valverde (8/10)
- Deployed as a right-back, the Uruguayan was excellent at both ends of the pitch. He contributed to attacks while keeping City’s wingers quiet.
Raul Asencio (7/10)
- A breakout performance from the youngster. His long ball assist for Mbappe’s first goal was sensational, and he was rock solid at the back.
Toni Rudiger (7/10)
- A commanding return to the team. Won his aerial duels and ensured Haaland remained a non-factor.
Ferland Mendy (7/10)
- Quiet but effective. Didn’t get forward much but kept things tight defensively.
Midfield
Dani Ceballos (7/10)
- Controlled the tempo from deep, linking up play well. Looked vulnerable on a couple of counterattacks but overall did his job well.
Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10)
- Strong defensive presence in midfield. Broke up attacks and kept Madrid’s midfield engine running smoothly.
Jude Bellingham (8/10)
- Another all-action display. Pulled the strings in attack and was involved in the second goal. Only downside? A reckless challenge means he’ll miss the first leg of the next round.
Attack
Rodrygo (7/10)
- Worked tirelessly on the right wing and showed great awareness by assisting Mbappe’s second goal.
Kylian Mbappe (10/10) – ⭐ Man of the Match
- Simply unstoppable. Scored three goals, each demonstrating his elite movement, finishing, and composure. The best player on the pitch by far.
Vinicius Jr (8/10)
- A constant threat. Created several chances and assisted Mbappe’s second goal. Deserved a goal of his own.
Substitutes & Manager
Eduardo Camavinga (7/10)
- Surprisingly left out of the starting XI but put in a lively shift after coming on.
Brahim Diaz (N/A), Luka Modric (N/A), David Alaba (N/A), Endrick (N/A)
- Came on too late to make a real impact.
Carlo Ancelotti (8/10)
- Tactical masterclass. Madrid’s high press and quick transitions overwhelmed City. Made the right selection calls and gave his stars the freedom to express themselves.
Conclusion: Real Madrid’s Champions League Dominance Continues
This was a statement win for Real Madrid. Kylian Mbappe stole the show, but the entire team put in a complete performance to outclass Manchester City.
With this victory, Madrid cruises into the Champions League last 16, proving once again why they are the ultimate European powerhouse.
For City, this was a wake-up call. Pep Guardiola’s men were outplayed, outclassed, and outfought. If they want to reclaim their European crown, they’ll need to regroup quickly and rediscover their best form.
One thing is clear: Real Madrid, with Kylian Mbappe leading the charge, remain the team to beat in the Champions League.
🏆 MVP 🏆 pic.twitter.com/BZJVKdyZ52
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 19, 2025
FAQs: Real Madrid vs Manchester City – Champions League Knockout Playoff
1. How many goals did Kylian Mbappe score against Manchester City?
- Mbappe scored a hat-trick, leading Madrid to a 3-1 victory.
2. Who assisted Mbappe’s goals?
- Raul Asencio assisted the first, while Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr were involved in the second.
3. What does this win mean for Real Madrid?
- This secures their place in the Champions League last 16 and cements their status as serious title contenders.
4. How did Manchester City perform?
- City struggled to create chances and were dominated by Madrid’s attacking firepower.
5. What’s next for both teams?
- Real Madrid advance to the Champions League last 16, while Manchester City must bounce back in their domestic campaign.
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