After VAR review, Manchester City’s goal is confirmed, but Real Madrid advances in the Champions League

Real Madrid secured their spot in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 after defeating Manchester City 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu. The second-leg match, played on February 19, 2025, confirmed the superiority of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, who had already won the first leg in England by 3-2. With an impressive performance and a standout display from Kylian Mbappé, who scored twice, the Spanish team dictated the tempo from the opening minutes, controlling the match and neutralizing Manchester City’s main offensive threats. The English side, led by Pep Guardiola, struggled to break through Real Madrid’s solid defensive setup and only managed to score in stoppage time, when Nico González found the net after a rebound from a free kick. Despite their late effort, City failed to turn the game around, leading to their elimination as Real Madrid advanced with a 6-3 aggregate score.

The victory reinforces Real Madrid’s dominance in the Champions League and cements their status as one of the tournament’s top contenders. The Bernabéu crowd erupted in celebration as the home team delivered a commanding display, showing both attacking efficiency and defensive resilience. With their qualification secured, Real Madrid now awaits the draw to determine their next opponent in the knockout stage. Meanwhile, Manchester City will shift their focus back to domestic competitions, aiming to recover from their early Champions League exit.

The match also featured tactical battles and key substitutions. While Ancelotti made strategic changes to maintain his team’s intensity, Guardiola attempted to shift the momentum with substitutions, but to no avail. Real Madrid’s performance further solidifies their ambitions of winning a record-extending 15th Champions League title, demonstrating a well-structured and disciplined style of play.

First half dominance and Mbappé’s brilliance

From the first whistle, Real Madrid took control of the game. Within just four minutes, Mbappé capitalized on a precise pass from Rodrygo and slotted the ball past Ederson to open the scoring. The early goal gave Madrid even more confidence, allowing them to press high and disrupt Manchester City’s build-up play. The visitors struggled to create clear chances, as Madrid’s defense, anchored by Antonio Rüdiger and Thibaut Courtois, successfully neutralized City’s attacking threats.

At the 33rd minute, Mbappé struck again. After a well-constructed play, Marco Asensio found the French forward in a favorable position, and he converted clinically to double Madrid’s lead. Manchester City, unable to cope with the relentless pressure, found themselves unable to generate meaningful attacking plays. Just before halftime, Jude Bellingham added a third goal in the 38th minute, further sealing Madrid’s dominance and leaving City with a near-impossible task for the second half.

With an overwhelming first-half display, Ancelotti’s team demonstrated their tactical superiority and executed their game plan perfectly. Meanwhile, Guardiola’s side appeared disjointed and struggled to find their usual attacking rhythm.

Manchester City’s late reaction not enough to avoid elimination

After the break, Guardiola made several changes in an attempt to shift the game’s momentum. The introduction of Mateo Kovacic and James McAtee aimed to bring more fluidity to the midfield, while İlkay Gündoğan was brought on to create additional attacking opportunities. However, Real Madrid remained disciplined, controlling possession and managing the tempo effectively. The home side took a more measured approach in the second half, maintaining defensive stability while waiting for counterattacking opportunities.

Manchester City finally pulled a goal back in the 47th minute. Omar Marmoush’s free-kick struck the crossbar, and the ball rebounded into the path of Nico González, who slotted it into an empty net. Despite the late goal, it was too little, too late for City. The final whistle confirmed Real Madrid’s qualification and Manchester City’s elimination from the tournament.

Match highlights and statistics

• Date: February 19, 2025
• Venue: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
• Final Score: Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester City
• Goals:
  • Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé (4’, 33’), Jude Bellingham (38’)
  • Manchester City: Nico González (47’)
• Possession:
  • Real Madrid: 55%
  • Manchester City: 45%
• Shots on goal:
  • Real Madrid: 15 (9 on target)
  • Manchester City: 10 (5 on target)
• Fouls committed:
  • Real Madrid: 12
  • Manchester City: 14

Key substitutions

• Real Madrid:
  • Brahim Díaz replaced Kylian Mbappé
  • Eduardo Camavinga replaced Daniel Ceballos
  • Luka Modric replaced Aurélien Tchouaméni
  • David Alaba replaced Federico Valverde
  • Endrick replaced Vinícius Júnior
• Manchester City:
  • Nathan Aké replaced John Stones
  • İlkay Gündoğan replaced Mateo Kovacic
  • James McAtee replaced Phil Foden

Interesting facts about Real Madrid vs. Manchester City rivalry

• Real Madrid remains unbeaten against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu in the Champions League.
• Mbappé reached the milestone of 50 Champions League goals with his two strikes in this match.
• Madrid holds the record for the most Champions League titles, with 14 trophies.
• Pep Guardiola has never defeated Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu as Manchester City’s head coach.

Timeline of match goals

1. 4’ – Kylian Mbappé opens the scoring after a Rodrygo assist.
2. 33’ – Mbappé doubles Real Madrid’s lead with an assist from Asensio.
3. 38’ – Jude Bellingham extends Madrid’s advantage.
4. 47’ – Nico González scores for Manchester City following a rebound.

Expectations for the Round of 16 and upcoming fixtures

With their spot secured in the knockout stage, Real Madrid now awaits the draw to determine their next opponent. Ancelotti’s squad heads into the next phase full of confidence, having displayed a high level of performance. Meanwhile, Manchester City will need to reassess their European campaign and shift their focus to domestic competitions, including the Premier League and FA Cup, where they still have title aspirations.