Kylian Mbappe scored early and often on Wednesday, as Real Madrid built upon their first-leg lead and sent Manchester City flying out of the UEFA Champions League with a 3-1 victory (6-3 on aggregate) at the Bernabeu.
MORE - Champions League schedule, results & next round draw
It took less than 200 seconds (196, to be exact) for Mbappe to lob Ederson from the edge of the box and put Real Madrid two goals ahead on aggregate. He struck again after shaking loose of Josko Gvardiol in hilarious fashion inside the box in the 33rd minute, hitting a low bouncer inside the far post just after the hour mark, mere seconds after it looked as though he might need to come off with an injury. Nico Gonzalez touched home the rebound after Omar Marmoush’s free kick came off the crossbar in second-half stoppage time — far too little, far too late.
Real Madrid will face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16. The draw will be held on Friday at 6am ET.
At least we got 3 minutes of drama and intrigue
Look, there simply isn’t a “good” time to come up against Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout rounds — it didn’t even matter that they had no center backs last week, they still won in Manchester — but it’s really not a good time when Erling Haaland just picked up an injury four days prior and you probably need two or three (or four, or five) goals on the night. It probably would have made little difference had Haaland been fit for the starting lineup, but at least City would have had a chance to build upon their 4-0 victory over Newcastle from the weekend and keep new star (and hat trick scorer) Omar Marmoush on the left rather than having to move him to center forward. It was probably at that point that Guardiola decided it wasn’t worth risking Kevin De Bruyne on the longest of long shots, and Madrid proved him correct after just 196 seconds. It has become abundantly clear this season that this isn’t just a blip on the radar and City won’t just turn back into their best selves on summer holiday. The squad got a little too old right under everyone’s noses and the club made a number of moves to right that wrong in January, but even more will be required in upcoming windows just to sniff Real Madrid’s level again.
Player ratings - Real Madrid vs Manchester City
What’s next?
- Manchester City vs Liverpool — Sunday, 11:30 am ET
- Real Madrid vs Girona — Sunday, 10:15 am ET
- Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid/Bayer Leverkusen — March 4/5 (UCL round of 16)
Real Madrid vs Manchester City live updates - by Andy Edwards
Real Madrid vs Manchester City final score: 3-1 (6-3 agg.)
Goalscorers: Kylian Mbappe (4', 33', 61'), Nico Gonzalez (90'+2)
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 (6-3) Man City: Gonzalez puts Marmoush’s free kick back at the end (90'+2)
A little too little, a little too late.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 (6-2) Man City: Mbappe. Hat trick. Goodnight (61')
Kylian Mbappé completes his first hat-trick at the Bernabéu ⚡ pic.twitter.com/AyNl0zd0Zu
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 19, 2025
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 (5-2) Man City: Mbappe adds his third of the tie (33')
“Josko Gvardiol might need a ticket to get back in the stadium” is one of the best pieces of commentary you’ll ever hear. When you see the highlight, you’ll understand why.
A mesmerising team move finished cooly by Kylian Mbappé 🥶 pic.twitter.com/6aQpfKzSTT
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 19, 2025
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 (4-2) Man City: Mbappe lobs Ederson from the edge of the box (4')
Long ball over the top, one bounce, lob, back of the net. Too easy.
Kylian Mbappé gets Real Madrid off to the PERFECT start 😤💫 pic.twitter.com/ONgUPE8XQl
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 19, 2025
Route one never looked so good 🤩 pic.twitter.com/YqYD7mzQU3
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 19, 2025
ARRIVAL! Real Madrid’s bus greeted by thousands outside Santiago Bernabeu
You know it’s a big night in the Spanish capital when…
One of the most special moments of the season for Real Madrid… the #Busiana. 👀#RMAMCI #UCL @TheAthleticFC pic.twitter.com/hx9Gqc4NXO
— Guillermo Rai (@GuillermoRai_) February 19, 2025
Real Madrid starting lineup
Courtois - Valverde, Rudiger, Asencio, Mendy - Tchouameni, Ceballos, Bellingham - Rodrygo, Vinicius, Mbappe
Manchester City starting lineup
Ederson - Khusanov, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol - Gonzalez, Gundogan, Foden - Bernardo, Savinho, Marmoush
How to watch Real Madrid vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (February 19)
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu — Madrid
TV/Streaming: Paramount+
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real are masters are getting it done, however they can, and they pounced on two late errors from City to turn the result around as Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham were the heroes after Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland had put on a show. Real looked very good on the counter in the first leg but they still have some defensive injuries and their form in La Liga hasn’t been great in recent weeks. But you know their players are relishing the chance to seal their spot in the last 16 and will thrive on the pressure.
Pep Guardiola couldn’t quite believe how his Man City side imploded late on, once again, in the first leg but they’re still in with a chance of advancing. Guardiola rated their chances of getting past Real at one percent, but the actual likelihood is much higher than that. City got a morale-boosting 4-0 home win against Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday and we can expect City to start fast as they hope Haaland, Omar Marmoush and Kevin de Bruyne can do some damage to salvage the tie.
Real Madrid team news, focus
The good news for Real is that influential center backs Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are both back fit after missing the first leg. That means Aurelien Tchouameni can move back to midfield and Rudiger will likely partner Alaba at center back, with youngster Raul Asencio dropping to the bench. Lucas Vazquez is also back fit but is unlikely to start so midfielder Federico Valverde will remain at right back. In attack the quartet of Bellingham, Mbappe, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior caused City so many problems and are so dangerous on the counter.
OUT: Daniel Carvajal (ACL), Eder Militao (ACL)
Manchester City team news, focus
City obviously have star midfielder Rodri out but Nico Gonzalez is settling in nicely and Guardiola had high praise for the Spanish midfielder who starred in their demolition of Newcastle at the weekend. The new signing will likely line up alongside Mateo Kovacic in central midfield to stop the threat of Real’s counters. Akanji is out which is a blow and it will be intriguing to see if Guardiola plays Rico Lewis or John Stones at right back to try and stop Vinicius. Marmoush is pushing for a start after his 14-minute hat trick on Saturday, while Jack Grealish could return and he played really well in the first leg before being forced out through injury.
OUT: Rodri (torn ACL - MORE), Manuel Akanji (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Nathan Ake (illness), Ruben Dias (muscle tightness), Oscar Bobb (fitness), Jack Grealish (groin)
Real Madrid vs Manchester City prediction
This is going to be a tight, tense encounter and may not be as open as the first leg as Real will be wary of taking too many risks. Expect City to grab a narrow win but Real will somehow prevail, just like they always do. Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City (Real win on penalty kicks).
