Real Madrid 3, Man City 1 (UEFA Champions League Play Off Round – Real Madrid win 6-3 on aggregate)
Manchester City exited the Champions League after Kylian Mbappe’s hat trick for Real Madrid finished off their slim hopes.
Embed from Getty ImagesNico Gonzalez scored an injury time consolation as the former Champions succumbed to a 13th defeat in their last 26 games as Real ruthlessly made the most of ailing City’s shortcomings.
City came into the game without Erling Haaland, who was deemed not fit enough to start the game after coming off against Newcastle United at the weekend with a knee injury.
The City midfield, supported by Nico Gonzalez, had the decidedly pedestrian Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva as the attacking prongs with Kevin De Bruyne only fit enough for the bench alongside Haaland.
City boss Pep Guardiola had earlier said his side had just a 1% chance of winning the tie prior to the game but this looked optimistic after a nightmare start for the Blues.
Uzbek defender Abdudokir Khusanov was selected at right back but was ruthlessly exposed by the Real Madrid forward line who took the lead after just 4 minutes through Kylian Mbappe and targeted the youngster who was trying to cope with an unfamiliar role in the pressure cooker environment of the Bernabeu.
It was the simplest of long balls that exposed the City defence in the fourth minute – and City also suffered the double blow of losing John Stones in the aftermath.
Mbappe’s close control defeated Ederson for his second goal after 33 minutes and the French striker completed his first Champions League hat trick in the 61st minute as they totally dominated.
Gonzalez’ injury time goal, his first for City, after Omar Marmoush’s free kick had hit the bar, was merely a scant consolation for a side who now have to prepare for the visit of league leaders Liverpool on Sunday.