The UEFA Champions League schedule a knockout play-off on February 20, 2025, with Real Madrid defeating Manchester City 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu. That, along with their 3-2 first-leg road win at the Etihad Stadium, left them ahead 6-3 on aggregate, and Los Blancos appeared in the round of 16.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Hat Trick by Mbappé
Back at Santiago Bernabéu for the fixtures on February 20, 2025, Real fully assuaged their fears. Kylian Mbappé stood out as the player of the match, scoring a remarkable hat-trick, which cut through Manchester City’s defense. His opening goal came early and paved the way for Madrid to pile on the pain. Mbappé’s other two came before halftime and in the second half, but they were marked by clinical finishing and poise under pressure. City’s only reply was a stoppage-time goal by Nico González, which did little to soothe the pain.
Ancelotti Backs Kylian Mbappé to Match Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, lavished praise on Mbappé after the display. Ancelotti was confident that Mbappé could attain the same kind of legend status held at Real Madrid by Cristiano Ronaldo, the team’s all-time leading scorer. He stressed that though Mbappé’s talent was extraordinary, the work of his teammates had proved crucial.
Guardiola Reflects on a Season of Struggles
Real Madrid poses a task that’s going to be a huge challenge; Pep’s aware of that. He spoke honestly about the slim chances his team had of coming past the Spanish giants, citing injuries to key players, including Erling Haaland, and a lack of confidence in the squad. Guardiola emphasized the rebuilding required over the summer and the weaknesses exposed across the tie.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Memorable Night
Pedja Mijatovic showed great joy with Real Madrid’s qualification to the round of 16. He conceded the match turned out to be much simpler than expected, especially considering how Manchester City had been playing recently. Mbappé’s leadership qualities and the contributions of younger men like Raúl Asencio and Federico Valverde were widely praised, while Aznar emphasized his belief in on-field character and versatility.
Real Madrid News: Champions for the Future
With the aggregate victory, Real Madrid advances into the Champions League round of 16, where it will meet either Atlético de Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen. How has the Mbappé effect changed things for the team?It has given the team a reason to play as one and galvanized them into making a title run. They will however have to face the coming tests without a key player as Jude Bellingham is suspended for the opening leg of the next round after accumulating yellow cards.
Conclusion: Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Real Madrid and Manchester City’s two-legged affair was a reminder of the Spanish Club sustained dominance in European soccer leagues. With each goal, they reminded the watching world why they remain one of the most feared teams in the competition. With this being such a decorated club, everyone will be watching Los Blancos as they seek to advance further in the tournament and closer to securing another prestigious title.
