Real Madrid destroy Man City as Federico Valverde nets stunning Champions League hat-trick

REAL MADRID 3-0 MAN CITY: Pep Guardiola's side see their hopes of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals hanging by a thread after a miserable night at the Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid star Federico Valverde had not scored a goal in the Champions League since in nearly two years. He then netted a world-class 22-minute treble to all-but end Manchester City's hopes of reaching the quarter finals.

The Uruguayan midfielder turned in one of the all-time European performances against Pep Guardiola's side. His first strike saw him race away from Nico O'Reilly and finish coolly past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Valverde then got on the end of a ball from Brazilian wideman Vinicius Jr to double his evening's work. The Madrid midfielder then secured the matchball before the break as he got on the end of a lofted through ball, lifted the ball over Marc Guehi and tucked home.

The hosts had the opportunity to extend their advantage even further but Donnarumma produced a crucial stop to deny Vinicius Jr from the penalty spot.

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Real Madrid now head to the Etihad Stadium next week with a considerable advantage, with German giants Bayern Munich potentially lying in wait in the next round.

Before Valverde had started stamping his name all over the clash Guardiola's side had actually enjoyed a positive start in Madrid. Two tantalising crosses just bounced out of reach of Erling Haaland, while Bernardo Silva's lack of contact let the hosts off of the hook.

That's when Valverde decided to come to the party. He opened the scoring by managing to escape the attentions of O'Reilly on the right flank and skip around Donnarumma for a simple finish into an unguarded net.

He was then at it once again just seven minutes later as Vinicius' pass bounced off of Ruben Diaz and straight to Valverde. The midfielder then scored clinically with a low left-footed drive.

His third was arguably the pick of the bunch, though. After a deft chipped pass from former City star Brahim Diaz, Valverde lifted the ball over Guehi and slotted coolly past Donnarumma, leaving Guardiola and his side stunned.

It should have been even worse for the Premier League side in the second half as a ball from the back saw Vinicius race beyond the City backline. He was taken down as he attempted to skip past Donnarumma.

But the Italian atoned for his effort as he produced a marvellous stop to deny the winger from the spot. O'Reilly should have given City hope with 15 minutes remaining but was left frustrated by a stunning save from Thibaut Courtois.

The defeat in Spain leaves City with a mountain to climb in next week's second-leg. They could certainly do with a Valverde-like show of goalscoring to help them climb it.