Federico Valverde scored three goals as Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday.
The midfielder scored all three goals in the first half. He struck them within 22 minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. His hat trick gave Madrid a strong lead before the second leg in Manchester next Tuesday.
Madrid played without several key players. Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes all missed the match due to injury. Even so, the Spanish side produced one of their best displays of the season.
Manchester City had beaten Madrid earlier in the league phase. They also looked stronger on paper before this match. But Madrid dominated the game when it mattered most.
Coach Alvaro Arbeloa gave 18 year old midfielder Thiago Pitarch a start after his recent good form. City coach Pep Guardiola picked an attacking team but left Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki on the bench.
City started the match with some control. Antoine Semenyo forced the first save from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Trent Alexander Arnold also stopped Erling Haaland early in the match.
Madrid scored against the run of play in the 20th minute. Courtois sent a long ball forward. Nico O’Reilly failed to judge it well and Valverde ran through on goal. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma rushed out but Valverde went past him and scored.
Seven minutes later Madrid scored again. Vinicius Junior passed the ball to Valverde, who finished calmly to make it 2-0.
Valverde completed his hat trick before the break. He flicked a pass from Brahim Diaz over Marc Guehi and then volleyed the ball into the net. The Bernabeu crowd celebrated loudly as Madrid went 3-0 up.
Madrid almost added a fourth goal early in the second half. Brahim Diaz came close but Donnarumma made a save.
Vinicius Junior also had a chance to score after Donnarumma fouled him in the box. However the City goalkeeper saved his penalty.
Erling Haaland had a quiet night. Madrid defenders Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen kept him under control.
City’s best chance came late in the match. Nico O’Reilly had a clear effort but Courtois made a quick save with his leg.
The save helped Madrid keep a clean sheet and take a strong lead into the second leg.
