Valverde Hat-Trick Seals Madrid Win Over City
Last update: March 12, 2026
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Valverde hat-trick powers Real Madrid to 3–0 win over Manchester City.
Real Madrid took a huge step towards the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night after a devastating first-half performance secured a 3-0 win over Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Federico Valverde scored all three goals before the break, netting a remarkable hat-trick inside 22 minutes to leave Pep Guardiola’s side with a difficult task ahead of the second leg in England.
Madrid, who were without key players including Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo, opened the scoring in the 20th minute.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois launched a long clearance that caught City’s defence off guard.
Valverde raced through on goal, rounded Gianluigi Donnarumma and calmly finished to give the hosts the lead.
Seven minutes later, the Uruguayan doubled Madrid’s advantage after being set up by Vinícius Júnior, drilling a precise shot past Donnarumma.
CBI News reports that Valverde completed his hat-trick shortly before half-time with arguably the best goal of the night, flicking a pass from Brahim Díaz over defender Marc Guéhi before volleying into the net.
Madrid could have extended their lead in the second half when Vinícius won a penalty, but Donnarumma produced a save to deny the Brazilian from the spot.
City struggled to create clear chances throughout the match, with striker Erling Haaland kept quiet by Madrid defenders Antonio Rüdiger and Dean Huijsen as the Spanish giants secured a valuable clean sheet.
In Paris, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain defeated Chelsea 5-2 in the first leg of their round-of-16 clash at the Parc des Princes.
Bradley Barcola opened the scoring for PSG before Chelsea responded through Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernández to draw level.
Vitinha restored PSG’s lead before substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck twice late on to give the French champions a commanding advantage ahead of the return leg in London.
Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt also boosted their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals with a 3-0 victory over Sporting CP at the Aspmyra Stadion.
Sondre Brunstad Fet opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 29th minute before Ole Didrik Blomberg added a second in first-half stoppage time.
Kasper Høgh sealed the win with 19 minutes remaining.
In Leverkusen, Arsenal rescued a late 1-1 draw against Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the BayArena.
Robert Andrich gave the hosts the lead shortly after half-time, heading home a corner from Álex Grimaldo.
However, Arsenal snatched an equaliser in the 89th minute when Kai Havertz converted a penalty after substitute Noni Madueke was fouled in the box.
The result leaves the tie finely balanced ahead of the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Champions League Round of 16 First Leg Results
- Galatasaray 1–0 Liverpool
- Newcastle United 1–1 FC Barcelona
- Atlético Madrid 5–2 Tottenham Hotspur
- Atalanta BC 1–6 FC Bayern Munich
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1–1 Arsenal
- Paris Saint-Germain 5–2 Chelsea
- Bodø/Glimt 3–0 Sporting CP
- Real Madrid 3–0 Manchester City
The second leg of the Champions League round of 16 will take place on March 17 and 18, 2026.
