• Kylian Mbappe scored a stunning hat-trick as Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 3-1.
• This victory secured Madrid's place in the Champions League last 16 with a 6-3 aggregate score.
• Manchester City faced their first round of 16 exit under Pep Guardiola's management, missing star striker Erling Haaland.
• Real Madrid's next opponents in the knockout phase will be either Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid.
• Mbappe has now scored 28 goals this season, solidifying his critical role in the team's success.

Real Madrid showcased their dominance against Manchester City, winning 3-1 in the Champions League playoff at the Santiago Bernabeu, resulting in a 6-3 aggregate victory that secures their spot in the last 16. French superstar Kylian Mbappe was the star of the match, netting a remarkable hat-trick that underscored his pivotal role in the team's performance. This victory comes as a blow to City, who were without their leading striker Erling Haaland due to injury, marking the first time in coach Pep Guardiola's illustrious career that one of his teams has failed to progress beyond the Champions League round of 16 according to Al Jazeera. Real Madrid took control early, with Mbappe capitalizing on a defensive error by City's captain Ruben Dias just four minutes into the match. The French forward deftly lobbed the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Ederson, starting the evening on a positive note for the hosts. Mbappe extended the lead in the 33rd minute with an expertly placed close-range strike after a fluid build-up play that left City's defense reeling. His third came in the 61st minute when he struck from the edge of the box, securing his hat-trick and cementing his phenomenal form, having scored 28 goals this season. Despite a late consolation goal from City’s Nico Gonzalez after a rebound from a free-kick, it was a night dominated by Real Madrid's tactical execution and attacking prowess. City’s performance, which saw them unable to manage a shot on target until after halftime, raised questions about their current form as they face increasing pressure in the Premier League. This match marked the fifth encounter between the two teams in the Champions League knockout stages, further emphasizing Real Madrid's dominance in this rivalry according to Channel News Asia. Looking ahead, Real Madrid awaits their next challenge, which will either be against local rivals Atletico Madrid or the German champions Bayer Leverkusen, as they pursue a record-extending 16th title in this prestigious tournament. For more details, please check Reuters.