Manchester Metropolis watched their Champions League journey come to a thumping finish on Wednesday night time as they fell to a 3-1 drumming within the Spanish capital.
Struggling an notorious European collapse on dwelling soil final week and travelling to Madrid chasing a one-goal deficit, Pep Guardiola’s males had been utterly dominated from the opening whistle.
Trying to reverse a 3-2 deficit, Metropolis received off to a nightmare begin on the Bernabeu as Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring within the first 4 minuets and despatched the house help into overdrive.
With the French icon doubling Madrid’s lead simply after the half hour mark, it was actually the 26-year-old who stole all the headlines on Wednesday night time.
Bagging a well-known Champions League hat-trick after producing a chic pushed effort after 61 minutes, the previous PSG famous person rightfully acquired a standing ovation from the Bernabeu.
Storming their method to a dominant 6-3 mixture win, Actual Madrid will now face both Bayer Leverkusen on bitter native rival Atletico Madrid within the final 16.
With attacking talisman Erling Haaland left as an unused substitute after sustaining a blow to his knee final weekend, Metropolis failed to seek out any type of fluidity within the remaining third.
Whereas January recruit Nico Gonzalez may need tapped dwelling from shut vary within the dying moments as Metropolis grabbed a comfort strike, it was a determined night time for the Sky Blues.
On an evening when Actual Madrid underlined their standing as a number one Champions League contender, we now have taken a take a look at the principle speaking factors from the Bernabeu.
Madrid acquire a heavyweight scalp
Whereas Actual Madrid may need been pissed off this season as they missed out on a top-eight end, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad are rightfully nonetheless thought to be a standout candidate to defend their Champions League crown in 2025.
Making actual historical past final season as they claimed a fifteenth European title, Wednesday’s hosts actually despatched an actual assertion to the remainder of Europe’s elite right here.
Though Madrid may need sacrificed their spot on the prime of the La Liga desk after enduring a minor home rut over the previous few weeks, Los Blancos collected one other heavyweight scalp on dwelling soil.
Signing off their group stage marketing campaign with a routine 3-0 victory away at French outfit Brest, the previous AC Milan boss has seen his aspect discover prime gear at a vital time.
Breezing previous the Premier League giants on Wednesday night time and hardly having to get out of third gear, Madrid have now received all of their earlier 5 European showdowns by an mixture rating of 17-6.
Mbappe steals all the headlines in Madrid
Sending shockwaves throughout the footballing globe final summer time after finishing a blockbuster free swap from PSG, Mbappe has shortly cemented his spot as Madrid’s new poster boy.
Discovering the online away on the Etihad final week and with Haaland compelled to look at on from the sidelines, the French famous person actually stole all the headlines on Wednesday night time.
With the 26-year-old making it abundantly clear that he’s centered on getting his palms on a maiden Champions League title this season, Mbappe has loved a exceptional run of kind since opening up the New Yr.
Placing Man Metropolis to the sword right here and notching a sensational European hat-trick, the long run Ballon d’Or winner has now notched six targets in simply his earlier 4 appearances throughout all competitions.
Likewise, set to play a number one function in Madrid’s cost to interrupt extra Champions League data this season, the previous PSG talisman has additionally registered 14 strikes since getting back from Spain’s festive break.
Extra European frustration for Guardiola’s camp
Placing in dominant show final weekend as they claimed a 4-0 romp at dwelling in opposition to Newcastle, Manchester Metropolis travelled over to Madrid on Wednesday night time know that they wanted a Champions League miracle.
Struggling what was an notorious European collapse on the Etihad final week as they finally fell to a 3-2 defeat, Guardiola’s aspect had been utterly dominated throughout the park right here.
Hit with their earliest Champions League exit since they shockingly didn’t progress out of the group stage throughout the 2012/13 marketing campaign, Metropolis have proven a string of points on the European stage this season.
Coming underneath loads of scrutiny final month as they slumped to a 4-2 defeat away at PSG, Guardiola’s aspect have now misplaced 4 of their earlier 5 Champions League appearances.
Set for an additional public backlash over the approaching days, Metropolis now actually face the prospect of ending this season and not using a single piece of silverware to point out for his or her troubles.
Match Info
Actual Madrid: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Mbappe
Subs: Alaba, Camavinga, Modric, Endrick, Diaz
Manchester Metropolis: Ederson, Khusanov, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Gonzalez, Silva, Gundogan, Foden, Savinho, Marmoush
Subs: Kovacic, McAtee, Ake
Objectives: Actual Madrid: Mbappe (4’, 33’, 61’) – Manchester Metropolis: Gonzalez (90+2’)
Yellow Playing cards: Actual Madrid: Bellingham – Manchester Metropolis: Gonzalez, Gundigan
Pink Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Istvan Kovacs