Kylian Mbappe was the star of the show as he scored a sensational hat-trick for Real Madrid in their 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League knockout play-offs. The defending champions put on a dominant display, making it clear that they were the better team on the night.
City, who were missing the services of Erling Haaland due to injury, struggled to create any meaningful chances throughout the match. Omar Marmoush, who had scored a hat-trick over the weekend, failed to make an impact as the visitors were outplayed by a ruthless Real Madrid side.
Mbappe opened the scoring early in the game, latching onto a long ball from Raul Asencio and calmly lobbing the ball over Ederson to give his team the lead. He doubled his tally with a superb finish after tricking Josko Gvardiol, leaving the City defense in shambles.
The French international completed his hat-trick in style, receiving a pass from Fede Valverde on the edge of the box, before producing a dazzling display of skill and composure to slot the ball past the City goalkeeper.
Mbappe’s stellar performance earned him the Man of the Match award, capping off a memorable night for the forward and his team. City managed to grab a consolation goal in stoppage time, but it was too little, too late as Real Madrid sealed their place in the round of 16 with a 6-3 aggregate scoreline.
In other results on the night, Borussia Dortmund played out a goalless draw with Sporting CP, while Paris Saint Germain thrashed Brest 7-0. PSV also secured a 3-1 victory over Juventus after extra time in what was a thrilling night of Champions League action.
Overall, it was a memorable night for Real Madrid and Mbappe, as they showcased their quality and determination in pursuit of European glory. The stage is set for an exciting round of 16, with the defending champions looking like strong contenders to retain their title.
