MADRID — Kylian Mbappé experienced what he described as a “perfect night” with Real Madrid, achieving his third hat-trick in the Champions League. This stellar performance not only led to a 3-1 victory over Manchester City but also ensured the club’s progress into the round of 16, as they aim to clinch a historic 16th European title.
Mbappé scored two goals before halftime and added another in the second half, propelling Madrid to a total 6-3 victory on aggregate after their earlier 3-2 win in England. “This was a perfect night,” Mbappé stated. “Our goal was to win, and we accomplished that. We laid everything on the line in front of our home crowd, delivering an exceptional performance against City, who always pose a challenge.”
With this feat, Mbappé joined a prestigious group of players, including Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, and Robert Lewandowski, who have all recorded two hat-tricks during the knockout rounds of the Champions League. Cristiano Ronaldo leads with four. Previously, Mbappé had notable hat tricks with Paris Saint-Germain against Barcelona in 2021 and another in the group stage against Club Brugge in 2019.
Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, acknowledged Mbappé’s exceptional talent, stating, “Mbappé has the capability to match Cristiano’s statistics, but he must put in considerable effort because Cristiano has set a remarkably high standard.”
Team member Jude Bellingham also commended Mbappé’s contribution in the match against City, saying, “Mbappé is something special—everyone is aware of this and he continuously proves it. He is an even better person than he is a player, and we will gain from his goals moving forward.”
Mbappé reflected on the match, declaring it one of his standout performances since joining Madrid this season. “Whether this stands as my best game for Madrid, I’m not in a position to judge,” he remarked. “It’s best if someone else evaluates that. My purpose is to play and deliver results on the pitch. I would describe this encounter as a fantastic team effort.”
When discussing the upcoming round, Mbappé voiced a preference for facing city rivals Atletico Madrid over Bayer Leverkusen, largely to avoid the logistics of traveling to Germany. “Truly, I would prefer we face Atletico,” he mentioned. “Both teams are formidable. Nevertheless, it would be significantly better for us to dodge a trip if we can.”
