Real Madrid delivered a crushing blow to Manchester City’s Champions League ambitions as Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick powered the Spanish side to a dominant 4-1 victory at the Bernabeu, securing their place in the competition’s last 16.
Pep Guardiola’s team, who were trailing 3-2 from the first leg, were left with little hope after just four minutes when Mbappe expertly lobbed the ball into the net from a Raul Asencio assist, furthering Madrid’s advantage.
City’s troubles were compounded when key defender John Stones was forced off with an injury shortly after Mbappe’s opener. With star striker Erling Haaland only fit to sit on the bench, the task for City grew steeper. It worsened in the 33rd minute when Mbappe, with his trademark dribbling skills, beat Josko Gvardiol and calmly slotted past goalkeeper Ederson.
Mbappe completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark with a low strike, as City struggled to mount any meaningful response.
Although Nico Gonzalez found the net for City after Omar Marmoush’s free-kick hit the crossbar, the goal was little more than a consolation on a night to forget for the Premier League champions.
For Guardiola, the defeat marks his earliest Champions League exit since 2012-13, when City failed to advance from the group stage.
It also deepens the pressure on the manager, especially with Real Madrid’s fans reveling in the victory due to Guardiola’s ties to Barcelona, his former club and a fierce rival to Madrid. City’s loss signals a major rebuilding task ahead for Guardiola as he seeks to re-establish the club at the pinnacle of European football.
