Real Madrid v Man City live: Sublime Valverde hat-trick sinks visitors in Champions League last-16 first leg | OneFootball

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Pep Guardiola: Man City have ‘not much’ chance against Real but will always try

Manchester City were odds-on favourites to win the first leg of their blockbuster Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid but have it all to do in the second leg after losing 3-0 at the Bernabeu.

Real captain Federico Valverde produced one of his best performances to date, scoring a first-half hat-trick - the first of his career - to inflict City’s first defeat in 12 games.

Madrid’s opener was teed up by a long ball forward from keeper Thibaut Courtois, with his opposite number Gianluigi Donnarumma opting to back out of a challenge rather than risk a penalty or red card, allowing Valverde to round him and squeeze a tightly-angled finish into the open net.

He added a second and third within 22 minutes, the third a sublime goal, with Brahim Diaz chipping the ball over Ruben Dias and Valverde proceeding to do the same to Guehi, a brilliant touch to set up his volleyed finish.

Courtois produced a point-blank save from Nico O’Reilly after a defensive error in the second half, but City were largely contained and face an uphill battle in the second leg at the Etihad.

Pinned

Federico Valverde caps superb night for Real Madrid’s understudies as Pep Guardiola gets it wrong

There are performances that are destined for a special place even in a history as rich as Real Madrid’s. Fede Valverde has achieved much in his time at the Bernabeu and may yet end this season lifting the Champions League trophy but this was his night, a seminal, spectacular performance.

Often Real’s deluxe odd-job man, Valverde took on the role of the superstar, glittering on a terrible night for Pep Guardiola.

No Kylian Mbappe, no Jude Bellingham, no Rodrgyo? No problem. Valverde more than compensated for the absence of Real’s injured attackers. He took on the mantle of the sidelined Rodrygo, often the tormentor of Manchester City.

He had three goals all season. Indeed, he had three in 75 Champions League appearances. Then came three before half-time. Stand-in skipper, stand-in scorer, he was outstanding. The first hat-trick of his career was completed with the best of a terrific trio and came in a virtuoso display.

Valverde caps superb night for Real Madrid’s understudies as Guardiola gets it wrong

Real Madrid 3-0 Manchester City: Seasoned winners Real have been on a lacklustre run of late but were back in vintage form as Fede Valverde scored his first career hat-trick

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Richard Jolly11 March 2026 22:08

'It feels really dark' - Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva adds it was “quite frustrating” to not score, “even though we believe it is still possible because in football a lot of things can happen. At half-time we were saying, ‘the situation is bad’ there were a lot of things that shouldn’t have happened but with one goal you are in the tie.

“At 3-0 it makes it a bit more difficult. Now it feels really bad, now it feels really dark. Tomorrow is another day and for sure next week we will go to the game thinking we have a chance.

“Right now is the moment to reflect and see what we didn’t do right. Then next week when we are preparing we will be hopeful we can do something.”

Alexander-Arnold: 'A lot of people were expecting us to get battered'

Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks to TNT Sports now. He says: “A lot of people were expecting us to get battered tonight. But it shows the mentality, this competition means a lot to the club and us as players. Anyone can win and we’ve absolutely executed the game plan perfectly in the first half,” he says.

It’s put to him that it’s almost like Real were offended at suggestions City were the favourites tonight. “Of course. The way that both teams have been playing, it could have been true, but when you get to knockout football in the Champions League, anyone can beat anyone.”

He adds that Valverde is, “undoubtedly the most underrated player on the planet” and laughs at the footage of Bellingham’s reaction. “As a player the best attribute you can have is that your teammates can always count on you, he never lets us down. For many years he’s been in that top bracket of midfielders.”