Valverde hat-trick powers Real Madrid to Champions League win over Manchester City

Credit: Real Madrid

Madrid, (IANS) Fede Valverde scored a first-half hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3-0 at home in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Valverde opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu in the 22nd minute when he controlled a long ball from Thibaut Courtois, slipped past Nico O'Reilly and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma, who appeared as though he could have done better.

His second goal came five minutes later when a deflected pass fell to him on the left side of the Manchester City penalty area, and he took one touch before firing a left-foot shot across Donnarumma, reports Xinhua.

The Uruguayan completed his hat-trick in the 42nd minute after a pass from Brahim Diaz allowed him to flick the ball over Marc Guehi and smash home from close range to stun the visitors.

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola fielded an attack-minded side in Madrid, with Rodri Hernandez as his only holding midfielder and Bernardo Silva in a more advanced role, while Jeremy Doku, Antoine Semenyo and Savinho formed a line behind Erling Haaland.

Manchester City had looked the more likely side to score in the opening 20 minutes, with Doku causing problems down the left and flashing two balls across the face of goal, while O'Reilly had a chance and Silva volleyed just wide.

Valverde's first goal changed the game completely, and Guardiola brought on Tijjani Reijnders for the second half in place of Savinho, while Fran Garcia replaced Ferland Mendy at left back for Real Madrid after Mendy suffered a physical problem.

Brahim drew a good save from Donnarumma early in the second half, while Semenyo saw a shot blocked by Courtois before Vinicius Jr wasted a fine chance to make it 4-0.

The Brazilian got in behind a defense pushed beyond the halfway line, raced into the area and went down under a challenge from Donnarumma, only to hit a tame shot that the goalkeeper saved.

At the other end, Antonio Rudiger got a vital touch when Haaland looked set to score, while Courtois stuck out a saving foot to deny O'Reilly, who had dispossessed Real Madrid youngster Thiago Pitarch.Real Madrid was content to contain its rival in the closing minutes, knowing it had built a cushion for the return leg that few would have expected. Valverde hat-trick powers Real Madrid to Champions League win over Manchester City | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → March 12, 2026

Champions League: Vinicius scores winner as Real Madrid reaches last 16, Atalanta eliminate Dortmund

Credit: Real Madrid CF

Madrid, (IANS) Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League last 16 with a 2-1 home win over Benfica, sealing a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Vinicius Jr. scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute to settle an anxious night at the Santiago Bernabeu, where the tie was level on the evening and the hosts struggled for long spells.

Benfica, missing suspended coach Jose Mourinho, began with urgency and drew level on aggregate when Rafa Silva finished from close range after a sharp move down the right. Real responded almost immediately as Federico Valverde pulled the ball back for Aurelien Tchouameni, who curled in the equalizer.

The game remained open. Arda Guler had a goal ruled out for offside midway through the first half, and the second period was played at a high tempo but with little precision as Madrid mislaid simple passes and the crowd grew restless.

Real was without Kylian Mbappe because of a knee injury. Benfica also missed forward Gianluca Prestianni, who was provisionally suspended following an alleged racist insult aimed at Vinicius in last week's first leg.

Madrid suffered a scare in the 77th minute when Raul Asencio was carried off after a heavy fall. As Benfica pushed forward in search of a goal, Valverde released Vinicius down the inside-left channel, and the Brazilian angled his finish past goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to secure qualification.

Real Madrid will face either Manchester City or Sporting CP in the round of 16.

Elsewhere, Atalanta eliminate Borussia Dortmund with 4-3 aggregate win.

Lazar Samardzic sealed Atalanta's progress with the last kick of the game on a remarkable evening in Bergamo. La Dea wiped out a 2-0 first-leg deficit before the break, Gianluca Scamacca tapping in the fifth-minute opener before Davide Zappacosta's deflected shot wrong-footed Gregor Kobel late in the half.

It got even better for the hosts when Mario Pašalić met Marten de Roon's cross but Dortmund replied through substitute Karim Adeyemi's sublime curler on 75 minutes.Extra time loomed until Atalanta won a penalty deep in added time, an incident that brought red cards for Ramy Bensebaini, Nico Schlotterbeck and Giorgio Scalvini. Samardžić made no mistake from the spot. Champions League: Vinicius scores winner as Real Madrid reaches last 16, Atalanta eliminate Dortmund | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → February 26, 2026

Neymar to retire from football by the end of 2026

(Photo:Suman Chattopadhyay/IANS)

New Delhi, IANS) Following his clear and understandable statements regarding his next journey, Neymar has made an announcement about the potential to conclude his successful football career in 2026.

The 34-year-old, who renewed his contract with his boyhood club Santos last month, said he is taking things year by year and did not rule out retirement at the end of the calendar year. Neymar returned to Santos in January 2025 and played a key role in helping the team stay in Brazil’s top flight. He scored five goals in the last five matches of the season, which helped the club avoid relegation.

Yet, despite rediscovering form at home, the forward remains uncertain about what lies ahead.

“I don't know what will happen from now on, I don't know about next year,” Neymar told Brazilian online channel Caze on Friday. “It may be that when December comes, I'll want to retire. I'm living year to year now.”

His candid remarks come at a crucial juncture. “This year is a very important year, not only for Santos, but also for the Brazilian national team, as it's a World Cup year, and for me too,” Neymar said, underlining the significance of the months ahead.

Neymar recently had successful knee surgery as he continues to deal with recurring injuries that have affected the later stages of his career. As Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, he has not played for the national team since October 2023. This raises questions about his participation in the upcoming global tournament.Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has repeatedly stated over the past year that only fully fit players will be considered for selection for the 2026 World Cup, which is set to take place from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Neymar to retire from football by the end of 2026 | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → February 23, 2026