Real Madrid secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie at the Estadio Bernabeu on Wednesday.
The match was defined by an extraordinary first-half performance from Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde, who netted a perfect hat-trick inside the opening 45 minutes.
Valverde opened the scoring in the 20th minute, brilliantly assisted by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a spectacular long-range ball from deep in his own half, which allowed the midfielder to round the keeper.
He doubled the lead in the 27th minute with a powerful left-footed strike, set up by VinÃcius Júnior whose pass took a slight deflection before falling to Valverde. The hat-trick was completed just before halftime in the 42nd minute, courtesy of a well-measured dinked pass from Brahim DÃaz, which Valverde met with a spectacular right-footed volley.
Real Madrid had a chance to extend their lead further in the second half, but VinÃcius Júnior missed a penalty. The 3-0 result gives the hosts a commanding lead as they prepare for the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on 17 March 2026.