By exploreodisha.in 
Real Madrid vs Man City
In a thrilling UEFA Champions League encounter on February 19, 2025, Real Madrid secured their spot in the last 16 by defeating Manchester City 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, culminating in a 6-3 aggregate triumph. The match was highlighted by Kylian Mbappé’s exceptional performance, as he netted a remarkable hat-trick, underscoring his pivotal role in Real Madrid’s success.
Mbappé wasted no time, opening the scoring in the 4th minute with a deft chip over the goalkeeper, a goal that electrified the home crowd and set the tone for the match. He continued his dominance by adding a second goal before halftime and completing his hat-trick in the second half, showcasing his clinical finishing and composure under pressure.
Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, struggled to find their rhythm against a well-organized Real Madrid side. Despite maintaining significant ball possession, City’s attempts to penetrate the Madrid defense were largely thwarted. Their sole consolation came in stoppage time when Nico González managed to find the net, but it was too little, too late.
This defeat marked an unprecedented early exit for Guardiola in his managerial career, as City faced their 13th loss of the season, a record under his tenure. The match also highlighted Real Madrid’s tactical superiority and physical dominance, with players like Jude Bellingham making significant contributions, although he will miss the first leg of the next round due to suspension.
Real Madrid now advances to the round of 16, where they will face either Atlético Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen. The team’s performance against Manchester City not only demonstrated their attacking prowess but also solidified their status as strong contenders in this season’s Champions League.
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