MADRID – Federico Valverde struck the first hat-trick of his career as Real Madrid swept aside Manchester City 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, leaving the Premier League side with a daunting task ahead.
Pep Guardiola’s City side began brightly at the Santiago Bernabeu, but were caught out by Madrid’s pace on the break. From a swift move following a goal kick, Thibaut Courtois released Valverde down the right, who rounded Gianluigi Donnarumma to open the scoring in the 20th minute.
Seven minutes later Vinicius Jr made a great run from the left and fed Valverde, who beat the offside trap and drilled home.
Madrid struck again in the 42nd minute after another rapid counter. Vinicius surged forward and Brahim Diaz clipped a pass into Valverde’s path, the Uruguayan completing his treble with a fine volley after flicking the ball over a helpless Marc Guehi.
City pressed after halftime but it was the hosts who wasted a great chance to deal another blow, when Donnarumma denied Vinicius from the penalty spot after the goalkeeper brought down the Brazilian inside the box.
