Mbappe hat-trick buries Man City

Real Madrid easily beat Manchester City 3-1 with a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick on Wednesday in their Champions League playoff second leg at a raucous Santiago Bernabeu stadium, earning them a 6-3 aggregate victory and a place in the last-16. Last year’s champions will face either Bayer Leverkusen or city rivals Atletico Madrid, depending on Friday’s draw, as they seek a record-extending 16th title.

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It was the first time in City coach Pep Guardiola’s illustrious career that one of his teams in the Champions League had failed to reach the Round of 16. “It was a perfect night,” Mbappe said. “It’s only logical that Real Madrid advance to the last-16. We are very strong at home and it’s great to give joy to our fans.”

After a breathtaking first leg packed with goals and individual brilliance from both sides at the Etihad Stadium, the return game was thoroughly one-sided.

Real did not have to work too hard to subdue their sorry rivals who failed to manage a shot on target in the first half, looking a shadow of Guardiola’s dominant force from past years. Already 3-2 down from the first game, City’s task became even harder an hour before kick-off when they announced a starting 11 without leading striker Erling Haaland, who suffered a knee injury at the weekend. Real took full control of proceedings from the off and never looked under threat with the hapless visitors lucky not to lose by a larger margin.