Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde scored a sensational 22-minute hat-trick to all but end Manchester City's hopes of reaching the Champions League quarterfinals with a 3-0 victory
Daniel Orme Trends Writer
12:24, 12 Mar 2026
Trent Alexander-Arnold helped Real Madrid win on Wednesday
Trent Alexander-Arnold helped Real Madrid win on Wednesday(Image: Getty Images)
Real Madrid's Federico Valverde hadn't found the net in the Champions League for almost two years.
He then produced a stunning 22-minute hat-trick that virtually extinguished Manchester City's quarterfinal ambitions, giving Madrid a 3-0 advantage heading into next week's second leg in England. The result is good news for former Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is one step closer to winning the Champions League with his new team.
He's also one step closer to setting up a potential semifinal against his former club. Liverpool and Madrid will meet in the last four if the Reds can beat Galatasaray in the last 16 and the winner of Chelsea's tie with Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals.
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Galatasaray boasts a one-goal lead heading into the second leg at Anfield, while PSG is 5-2 up against Chelsea.
Madrid, meanwhile, will need to beat the winner of Atalanta's tie with Bayern Munich to reach the semifinals, if the Spanish team can hold on against City. Bayern already has one foot in the quarterfinals after beating Atalanta 6-1 earlier this week.
Valverde delivered one of the greatest European displays against Pep Guardiola's team. His opening goal saw him break clear of Nico O'Reilly before slotting calmly past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Real Madrid thumped Manchester City 3-0
Real Madrid thumped Manchester City 3-0(Image: Getty Images)
The Uruguayan midfielder then latched onto a pass from Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr. to add his second of the night.
The Madrid man completed his hat-trick before half-time, meeting a chipped through ball, lifting it over Marc Guehi, and finishing clinically.
The home team could have stretched its lead further, but Donnarumma made a vital save to keep out Vinicius Jr.'s penalty.
Before Valverde began dominating proceedings, Guardiola's men had actually made an encouraging start in the Spanish capital.
Two inviting crosses narrowly evaded Erling Haaland, while Bernardo Silva's failure to make contact allowed the home side to escape unscathed.
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That's when Valverde decided to join the fray, hitting a first-half hat-trick to stun Pep Guardiola's side.
O'Reilly should have given City hope with 15 minutes remaining, but he was left exasperated by a spectacular save from Thibaut Courtois.
The loss in Spain leaves City facing a steep uphill battle in next week's second leg. The Manchester club could certainly benefit from a Valverde-esque display of goalscoring to aid its ascent.