The France captain found the net three times to lead Carlo Ancelotti's side to a rampant win at the Bernabeu
Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick, while the rest of the Real Madrid attack hummed, to lead Los Blancos to a rampant 3-1 win over Manchester City that secures their qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League. The summer signing was his brutal and direct best, on three separate occasions adding the finishing touch to fluid moves as Madrid showed they can still be immense in Europe.
Los Blancos only needed four minutes to grab the lead, as Raul Asencio – who was excellent on the night – provided a raking ping over the top for Mbappe, who lifted the ball over Ederson and in. Mbappe nearly added a second soon after, stinging the City goalkeeper's palms with an instinctive effort.
He made it two after 34 minutes, though, as a wonderful flowing move did the job. Jude Bellingham found Vinicius Jr, who squared to Rodrygo. The Brazilian might have gone alone, but instead fed Mbappe, who cut inside his man and smashed home.
The Madrid party started after the break as Los Blancos buzzed their way through the second half, with Mbappe leading the charge. He completed his hat-trick after 61 minutes, dancing past Phil Foden before curling one into the bottom corner. There should have been more, too. Vinicius put one wide and saw another well saved while Rodrygo and Bellingham floated about, creating chances aplenty.
Meanwhile, City created little. They were a shadow of the treble-winning side of 2023, and nearly unrecognizable from the team that was minutes away from beating Los Blancos a little under 12 months ago. Youngster Asencio expertly marshalled the visitors' attack, while Pep Guardiola's side were left gasping for air on the ball. A late Nico Gonzalez tap-in did little more than spare City's blushes. This was a rout, and evidence that Madrid remain the team to beat in the Champions League.
GOAL rates Madrid's players from Santiago Bernabeu…
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Thibaut Courtois (7/10):
Barely had anything to do. Made a couple of tidy saves but was otherwise a spectator. No chance with Gonzalez's consolation.
Federico Valverde (8/10):
Full of legs at right-back. Made things happen going both ways.
Raul Asencio (7/10):
Immense throughout. Threw in his tackles, grabbed an assist, and won his individual duels.
Toni Rudiger (7/10):
A solid return. Reliable as ever in the air and covered space well.
Ferland Mendy (7/10):
The best compliment that can be paid to him is that he was hardly involved.
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Dani Ceballos (7/10):
Orchestrated from deep areas, and kept the ball ticking along effectively. Exploited here and there on the break, though.
Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):
Solid at a more familiar midfield position. Won the ball, moved it along.
Jude Bellingham (8/10):
Wonderful in possession, full of energy out of it. The only real blemish on his evening was a silly challenge that has him ruled out for the first leg of the next round.
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Rodrygo (7/10):
His work-rate was excellent on the right, as was his assist for Mbappe. A valuable, unselfish performance.
Kylian Mbappe (10/10):
Deadly when he got his chance early on. Provided a lovely finish for 2-0. Did the same again to complete a European hat-trick. Magic.
Vinicius Jr (8/10):
Went about tearing his man apart from the first minute. Involved in the build up to the second goal. Probably deserved one of his own to top it all off.
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Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):
Surprise that he didn't start, but a lively cameo.
Brahim Diaz (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Luka Modric (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
David Alaba (N/A):
More valuable minutes as he recovers from an ACL injury.
Endrick (N/A):
A rare run out.
Carlo Ancelotti (8/10):
Went with a full-strength side as Rudiger returned. Madrid were rampant from minute one, while his star man showed up in full. One of his best nights in the job.