Valverde scores hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Man City 3-0 at 2026 Champions League Round of 16 first leg: Highlights and goals
Real Madrid cruised to a 3–0 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their 2026 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash, fueled by a brilliant first-half hat-trick from Federico Valverde.
Real Madrid made the most of their home-field advantage delivering a dominant performance to defeat Manchester City 3–0 at the Santiago Bernabeu at 2026Champions League Round of 16 first leg. Federico Valverde stole the show, scoring a hat-trick in the opening 45 minutes to give the Spanish giants a commanding aggregate lead.
The Cityzens actually began the match with higher intensity, creating more offensive pressure than the hosts in the early stages. However, Real Madrid struck first in the 20th minute when Valverde clinically finished a spectacular long-range assist from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
From that moment on, it was all Real Madrid. The Uruguayan midfielder, playing with supreme confidence, capitalized on every attacking opportunity. Before the break, Valverde found the net twice more to complete the first first-half hat-trick of his career.
In the second half, a deflated Manchester City struggled to mount a comeback, finding it difficult to penetrate the disciplined Madrid defense. The Merengues had a golden opportunity to add a fourth, but Vinicius Jr. missed from the penalty spot, leaving the final score at 3–0. Pep Guardiola’s side now faces a mountain to climb in the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, March 17.
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Federico Valverde led Real Madrid to a 3-0 win with a hat-trick and you lived every moment of this game with Bolavip!
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End of the game!
Real Madrid crushed Manchester City 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu!
83'- Modification in Real Madrid (3-0)
Trent-Alexander Arnold was replaced by Dani Carvajal.
82'- Modification in Manchester City (3-0)
Erling Haaland was replaced by Omar Marmoush.
81'- Yellow card in Manchester City (3-0)
Rayan Ait Nouri was booked.
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76'- Two modifications in Real Madrid (3-0)
Thiago Pitarch and Brahim Diaz were replaced by Manuel Angel and Franco Mastantuono.
69'- Changes in both sides (3-0)
Real Madrid's Arda Guler left the field to make way for Eduardo Camavinga, while Manchester City's Bernardo Silva and Antoine Semenyo were replaced by Rayan Ait Nouri and Rayan Cherki.
68'- Haaland almost cut the deficit! (3-0)
Antonio Rudiger deflected a crucial pass for Haaland that could finished in a City goal!
The referee awarded a penalty for Real Madrid after a Donnarumma's foul over Vinicius Jr, and booked Manchester City's keeper.
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46'- What a save by Donnarumma! (3-0)
Brahim Diaz had a golden opportunity inside the box but Donnarumma denied Madrid's fourth goal!
45'- Modifications in both teams (3-0)
In Real Madrid Francisco Garcia replaced Ferland Mendy, while in Manchester City Savinho left the field to make way for Tijjani Reijnders.
The second half is underway!
Real Madrid and Manchester City are already playing the second half!
First half summary
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Manchester City began the match with a higher intensity, consistently threatening the hosts' penalty area. However, the momentum shifted decisively in the 20th minute when Thibaut Courtois provided a sensational long-range assist to find Federico Valverde, who clinicaly opened the scoring.
Following the opener, the Uruguayan midfielder proved unstoppable. Just seven minutes later, Valverde struck again to double the lead, and he capped off a historic performance just before the halftime whistle by netting the third. The flurry secured a 3–0 lead for the Merengues and marked the first hat-trick of Valverde’s professional career.
Halftime!
The first half at the Santiago Bernabeu has finished!
36'- Manchester City looking to cut the deficit (2-0)
Manchester City are continuing to push for an equalizer to close the gap on the scoreboard, but Real Madrid’s defensive unit remains incredibly disciplined.
27'- GOOOOAAAL OF REAL MADRID!! (2-0)
Federico Valverde strikes again!!
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19'- GOOOAAAAAL FOR REAL MADRID! (1-0)
Federico Valverde scores the opener of the game!!
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15'- Contested opening exchanges (0-0)
Through the first 15 minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu, the match remains a tactical battle for control. Real Madrid currently hold a slight edge in possession with 51%, compared to 49% for the visitors. However, Manchester City have appeared more intent on taking the initiative in the final third, consistently pressing forward to create the game's more dangerous offensive situations.
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7'- Nice try from Diaz! (0-0)
Brahim Diaz had a premier opportunity inside the box following a clever assist from Vinicius Jr. but Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a superb save to turn the ball behind for a corner.
5'- First shot of the game (0-0)
Antoine Semenyo from Manchester City recorded the first shot on target of the game.
GAME ON!
The game between Real Madrid and Manchester City is underway!
Players are on the pitch!
Players from both teams are on the field for the Champions League anthem. Everything is ready for the start of the match!
Familiar rivals
This campaign marks the fifth consecutive season in which Real Madrid and Manchester City have clashed in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages. In the 2021–22 semifinals, the Spanish giants advanced to the final with a 6–5 aggregate victory after winning in extra time.
However, the following year, the English side secured its place in the final with a dominant 5–1 aggregate win. Real Madrid regained the upper hand in the 2023–24 quarterfinals by winning a penalty shootout following a 4–4 aggregate draw, and they eliminated the Cityzens again in the 2024–25 play-offs with a convincing 6–3 aggregate scoreline.
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Both teams doing warm up activities
Players for both sides have taken the field for warmups at the Santiago Bernabeu!
Today's referees
Italian referee Maurizio Mariani has been appointed to officiate the clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City. He will be joined on the field by Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni, who are set to serve as the assistant referees.
Full officiating team:
Referee: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni (ITA)
Fourthofficial: Matteo Marchetti (ITA)
VAR: Marco Di Bello (ITA)
Why is Kylian Mbappe not playing?
Kylian Mbappe is not playing today because he is dealing with a sprain in his left knee that has sidelined him during a crucial stretch of the season for Real Madrid.
Manchester City lineup confirmed!
City's starting XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly; Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Savinho, Antoine Semenyo, Jeremy Doku; Erling Haaland.
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Real Madrid confirmed lineup!
Real Madrid's starting XI: Thibaut Courtois; Trent-Alexander Arnold; Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Ferland Mendy; Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni; Brahim Diaz, Thiago Pitarch Pinar, Arda Guler; Vinicius Jr.
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Kickoff time and where to watch
Real Madrid vs Manchester City will get underway at the Santiago Bernabeu at 4:00 PM (ET).
Real Madrid and Manchester City clash in the 2026 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg
Welcome to our live blog of the UEFA Champions League, where Real Madrid face Manchester City today at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16!
Stay with us for all the action and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!
Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, where he now covers a wide range of sports, including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA.
