Real Madrid's Uruguayan midfielder #08 Federico Valverde (2L) celebrates his third goal during the UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg football match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on March 11, 2026.

Watch: Madrid's Valverde caps 1st-half hat-trick with sensational goal

17 days ago
PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP / Getty

Federico Valverde single-handedly dominated Manchester City in Real Madrid's 3-0 win in the opening leg of the teams' last-16 meeting.

The reliable Uruguayan midfielder scored a devastating hat-trick in the first half at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, quickly putting the visitors at serious risk of Champions League elimination with three-quarters of the tie left to play.

Valverde completed his treble in stunning fashion. In such tight quarters, he seemed to have all the time in the world, flicking the ball over Marc Guehi's head before poking the ball into the bottom corner.

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