- Federico Valverde scored a sensational first-half hat-trick to propel injury-hit Real Madrid to a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
- Despite a lengthy casualty list that saw key players such as Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo sidelined for the clash at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid’s captain rose to the occasion.
- The Uruguay midfielder dismantled City with a clinical display of finishing, netting three goals within just 22 minutes.
- The evening could have been even more challenging for Pep Guardiola’s side, as Gianluigi Donnarumma was forced into a crucial second-half penalty save from Vinicius Junior.
- This result capped a difficult 48 hours for English clubs in the Spanish capital, following Tottenham’s 5-2 thrashing by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
