Kylian Mbappe hits hat-trick as Real Madrid knock Man City out of Champions League

Manchester City were eliminated from the 2024/25 Champions League after a display of world-class finishing from Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe scored a brilliant hat-trick to power the holders to a 3-1 victory in the second leg of their play-off tie against City on Wednesday and an overall 6-3 aggregate success.

City who were without the injured Erling Haaland laboured under the closed roof at the magnificently remodelled Bernabeu Stadium and barely troubled the Mbappe-inspired hosts.

Though Nico Gonzalez pulled one back in added time after an Omar Marmoush free-kick hit the bar, the contest was long since over with the night belonging to Mbappe.

Kylian Mbappe celebrates with the match ball at full time after his hat trick against Manchester City. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Speaking after the game, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed his delight at the performance produced by Mbappe.

“There’s the icing on the cake, which is Mbappe. Everyone expected this hat-trick and it has arrived. He is not the only one, we have had many players who made a difference. And they mark it with collective work.”

Real Madrid can now look forward to their last 16 tie in the Champions League. They will face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the next round.

Ancelotti was asked about his preference between the two teams, but he admitted that he does not have one, as he has confidence that his side will defeat whoever is in their path.

“We will take whatever comes. It has cost us a lot to reach the round of 16, more than necessary. We’ve played 10 games to get here. Hopefully it can go well this year.”