Madrid: Federico Valverde scored a hat-trick to help Real Madrid defeat Manchester City 3-0 at home in the UEFA Champions League. In the first leg of the UEFA Champions League 2025-2026 Round of 16, Real Madrid from Spain thrashed Manchester City from England 3-0 at home. Federico Valverde scored all three goals in the first half (20th, 27th, and 42nd minutes), completing his first hat-trick of the season. This victory gives Madrid a significant advantage going into the second leg at Manchester City's home ground.
According to Thai News Agency, after the game, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois praised all his teammates, especially Valverde, who played exceptionally well and scored a hat-trick, stating that he is one of the best players in the world right now. Bernardo Silva, the Manchester City captain, admitted that overturning a 3-0 deficit from the first leg against Real Madrid was very difficult, but still believes that anything is possible.
In another match, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain defeated Chelsea 5-2 at home. PSG's goals came from Bradley Barcola in the 10th minute, before Malo Augusto equalized for Chelsea in the 28th minute. Ousmane Demb©l© then put PSG back in the lead in the 40th minute.
In the second half, Chelsea equalized to 2-2 through Enzo Fernandez in the 57th minute, before PSG added three more goals from Vitinha in the 74th minute and Kvicha Kvaratskeleia, who scored two goals in the 86th and 90+6 minutes, giving PSG the advantage going into the second leg in England.
Meanwhile, Arsenal, the Premier League leaders, drew 1-1 away at Bayer Leverkusen of Germany. The home side took the lead first with a header from Robert Andrich in the 46th minute, before Kai Havertz equalized from a penalty in the 89th minute. The second leg will be played at Arsenal's home ground next week. In another match, Bod¸/Glimt of Norway defeated Sporting Lisbon of Portugal 3-0.