Federico Valverde scored the first hat-trick of his career as Real Madrid secured to a 3–0 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash, leaving the Premier League side with a difficult task in the return leg.


City, started the match brightly at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Wednesday night, but Madrid’s quick counterattacks proved decisive. The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois launched a fast move with a long ball to Valverde on the right. The Uruguayan calmly rounded goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma before slotting the ball into the net.


With key players like Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo unavailable through injury, Valverde stepped up to lead the 15-time European champions. He doubled Madrid’s advantage seven minutes later after a brilliant run from Vinícius Júnior, who set him up to beat the offside trap and fire home.


Madrid added a third goal in the 42nd minute following another rapid counterattack. Vinícius drove forward before Brahim Díaz chipped a pass into Valverde’s path. The midfielder flicked the ball over Marc Guéhi and finished with a superb volley to complete his memorable hat-trick.


City pushed forward after the break in search of a way back into the match, but Madrid had another opportunity to extend their lead. Donnarumma, however, redeemed himself by saving a penalty from Vinícius after the Brazilian was brought down inside the box.