Real Madrid vs Man City LIVE: Pep Guardiola’s men knocked out of Champions League after Mbappe hat-trick
Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (6-3 agg): Mbappe’s goals send Madrid through as City eliminated from Europe
Manchester City are out. They were never really in it. Pep Guardiola’s men were eliminated before the Champions League last-16 phase by a dominant and exceptional Real Madrid.
The hosts had a one-goal after their comeback win at the Etihad and they never looked like giving it up. A first half which saw City create just one shot at goal was summed up by Kylian Mbappe scoring twice.
The first was from a simple long ball. Mbappe nipped in behind Ruben Dias then lobbed Ederson who was off his line. The second was world class. Fed the ball inside the box, he cut inside of Josko Gvardiol, left the defender on the floor and rolled it past the goalkeeper.
After the break Mbappe scored his third. Left too much space on the edge of the box, he beat Phil Foden and guided a left-footed strike into the far bottom corner.
Nico Gonzalez scored a late consolation goal but City were to slow, too timid, and lacking in belief to spring a shock result on the 15x champions. Instead, Real march into the next round and look like favourites to win the tournament once more.
Relive the Champions League updates from our live blog below:
Mbappe is Player of the Match
Kylian Mbappe has unsurprisingly been named Player of the Match.
The Uefa Technical Observer Group said: "He was more involved in the game than in others and made the difference with his runs in behind – and, of course, his goals."
Mbappe on who he wants to play in next round:
"The reality is that they are both very good teams.
“Whether we play Atleti or Leverkusen it will be difficult. But for me it is better to play Atletico because then we don't have to travel!
“We have to travel a lot already. Both games would be difficult but it would be less so without having to travel."
Mbappe on life at Real Madrid:
"I want to play well here, I want to make a mark on the season. I want to write history with Real Madrid.
“The adaptation period for me has ended and now I have to show my quality."
Post-match reaction from Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe told Uefa.com: "A perfect night for the team. We wanted to win. We wanted to qualify for the next round. For us it was only logical that Real Madrid reached the next round of the Champions League.
"When you play against Manchester City it is always a difficult game but we knew that at home we would be very strong. We played better as a group and we were able to give a lot of joy to the fans. We have to continue in this way if we are to win what we want to win this season.”
'A dismal European campaign'
“So maybe Pep Guardiola wasn't engaging in mind games when he said City had a one percent chance. Real were comfortable winners.
“A first great European night at the Bernabeu for Mbappe, with his hat-trick. City go out after what has been a dismal European campaign.”
Full-time! Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (6-3 agg)
90+5 mins: The final whistle goes and Man City’s misery is over.
Real Madrid go through, Man City are out of the Champions League.
There’s more work for Pep Guardiola to do to get his team back to this level.
Real Madrid are firing again.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (6-3 agg) - Nico Gonzalez, 90+2'
Man City get a consolation goal.
Omar Marmoush strikes a free kick from right in front of goal and rattles the crossbar.
The ball rebounds and Nico Gonzalez is there first and taps in for City.
The goal is being checked by VAR. Will it stand?
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City (6-2 agg)
90 mins: Two more minutes to play.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City (6-2 agg)
85 mins: Brahim Diaz collides with James McAtee inside the Real Madrid box and leaves an elbow on the youngsters head.
He goes down but the penalty doesn’t come. Instead the referee awards City a free kick outside the area for the foul.
That’s a super strange decision and VAR doesn’t even look at the incident.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments