Real Madrid faced it in the first stage of their game against Manchester City, but they struck the first blows, and Fede Valverde got three points.
Man City looked more dangerous early on at the Bernabeu, with Jeremy Doku particularly dangerous down the right flank for Real Madrid. Alvaro Arbeloa’s side managed to weather that storm, and have now achieved the opening goals, which came in easy circumstances.
Valverde scores a hat-trick within 42 minutes
A long ball over the top from Thibaut Courtois was well controlled by Valverde, who skipped past the onrushing Gianluigi Donnarumma before slotting into an empty net.
Fede Valverdeeeee. What an ending!
🇪🇺 Real Madrid 1-0 Manchester Citypic.twitter.com/MOjgwGW0Tu
— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 11, 2026
A great assist from Courtois is finished by Valverde to give Real Madrid the lead against Manchester City 💥@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/hS6f3Pe7Vj
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballantnt) March 11, 2026
Thibaut Courtois helps ‼️
The Belgian goalkeeper plays a good ball to Fede Valverde who gives Real Madrid the lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EX93BvXlk9
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026
Seven minutes later, Valverde doubled his Real Madrid tally for the evening. Vinicius Junior played with him, and finished beyond Donnarumma with his weak left foot to send the home fans into a frenzy.
Valverde twice!! Fede cooks Man City in 28 minutes!
🇪🇺 Real Madrid 2-0 Manchester Citypic.twitter.com/E65lSWY5Pe
— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 11, 2026
Leading captain ⚽
Federico Valverde doubles Real Madrid’s lead!@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/1Ukdj6gMOs
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballantnt) March 11, 2026
Two goals in seven minutes for Real Madrid captain 🫡 pic.twitter.com/80OjKYqIN7
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026
It’s surprising that Valverde wasn’t done there in the first half. He scored a third goal before the break, as he finished inside the penalty area to control Brahim Diaz’s ball that was deflected into his path.
INCREDIBLE. WHAT A WONDERFUL NIGHT IT WAS. FEDE VALVERDE COMPLETES HAT‑TRICK IN JUST 42 MINUTES!
🇪🇺 Real Madrid 3-0 Manchester Citypic.twitter.com/YHa7Vhl6YJ
— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 11, 2026
Good ending 🤩
Federico Valverde scored the first hat-trick in his career at Real Madrid!@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/2xnE4JkpqG
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballantnt) March 11, 2026
FEDE VALVERDE WITH A INSANE TOUCH AND FINISH 🤯😮💨
HAS HIS FIRST HAT-TRICK 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sqXhfKh4Dy
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026
Real Madrid may not be without the services of Kylian Mbappe, but he hasn’t been missed so far. They were not at their level, but it didn’t matter as they found themselves with three goals in the first leg of the Round 16.
