Valverde Hat-Trick Gives Real Madrid 3–0 Edge Over Man City in UCL Tie

By Eppe Franklyne

• Federico Valverde scored the first hat-trick of his career as Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3–0.
• The victory gives Madrid a strong advantage in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash.
• Valverde netted all three goals in the first half at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Federico Valverde struck the first hat-trick of his career as Real Madrid swept aside Manchester City 3-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League 2025–26 round of 16 tie on Wednesday, leaving the English side with a daunting task ahead.

Pep Guardiola’s City team began brightly at the Santiago Bernabéu but was caught out by Madrid’s pace on the break.

Thibaut Courtois released Valverde down the right, and the Uruguayan rounded Gianluigi Donnarumma to open the scoring in the 20th minute. Seven minutes later, Vinícius Júnior fed Valverde, who beat the offside trap and drilled home to double Madrid’s lead.

Madrid struck again in the 42nd minute after another rapid counterattack. Brahim Díaz clipped a pass into Valverde’s path, and the midfielder completed his treble with a fine volley after flicking the ball over a helpless Marc Guéhi.

City pressed after halftime, but it was the hosts who wasted a chance to extend their advantage when Donnarumma denied Vinícius from the penalty spot after the goalkeeper brought down the Brazilian inside the box.

“I really enjoyed myself today; it had been quite some time since I had enjoyed a match this much. I am pleased, I am happy, but above all, I am delighted with the team’s victory,” Valverde said after the match.

Guardiola had arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu hoping to exploit Real Madrid’s defensive frailties, particularly out wide, and set up his side with pace in attack through Antoine Semenyo, Savinho and Jeremy Doku.