Kylian Mbappé delivered a stunning hat-trick as reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid secured a 3-1 victory over Manchester City on Wednesday, sealing their place in the last 16 with a commanding 6-3 aggregate win.

Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a painful early exit, barely troubling the 15-time record champions until Nico Gonzalez netted a stoppage-time consolation goal.

French superstar Mbappé opened the scoring with a delightful lob in the fourth minute and doubled his tally after a slick attacking move that sliced through the English side’s defence. The striker, now in scintillating form after a slow start to life in Madrid, completed his treble in the second half with a precise low strike from the edge of the box, taking his tally to seven goals in 10 appearances in this season’s competition.

City, winners of the tournament in 2023, looked a shadow of their former selves, reflecting a campaign fraught with inconsistency. Guardiola faced a setback before kick-off as Erling Haaland, who scored twice in the first leg, was only fit enough for the bench after picking up a knock against Newcastle at the weekend.

In contrast, Real Madrid welcomed Antonio Rüdiger back from injury, allowing Aurélien Tchouaméni to return to his natural midfield role. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were near flawless in the first half, striking early to set the tone.

Mbappé shrugged off Rúben Dias before deftly lifting the ball over goalkeeper Ederson after an inch-perfect long pass from young centre-back Raúl Asencio. City’s problems deepened when John Stones limped off shortly afterwards, adding to their woes.

Federico Valverde went close with a deflected effort, while Ederson denied Mbappé after Tchouaméni sent him through on goal with another incisive pass. The French forward struck again in the 33rd minute after Madrid’s “fantastic four” combined brilliantly: Jude Bellingham found Vinícius Júnior, who squared it to Rodrygo, allowing Mbappé to step inside and drill home at the near post, leaving Josko Gvardiol flailing.

Guardiola had previously claimed his side had “just a one percent chance” of eliminating Madrid, and his players performed as though they believed him. Madrid’s only blemish was a booking for Bellingham after a foul on England teammate Phil Foden, ruling him out of the first leg of the last 16.

The night, however, belonged to Mbappé. The 26-year-old completed his hat-trick with a stunning individual effort just after the hour mark, creating space on the edge of the box before drilling a shot past Ederson as City’s defence stood off.

Departing to a standing ovation, Mbappé left Madrid fans savouring their team’s dominant display. Despite creating further chances, Madrid failed to add to their tally, though their superiority was never in doubt.

City pulled one back in stoppage time when Omar Marmoush struck the crossbar with a free-kick, allowing Gonzalez to tap in the rebound, but it was little more than a footnote.

City have now lost 13 of their last 26 matches across all competitions and face a critical clash against Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday as they battle for a top-four finish.

Madrid, by contrast, remain in contention for three major trophies and, with Mbappé in such imperious form, believe they can claim them all. They will face either city rivals Atlético Madrid or German champions Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.