Pep Guardiola’s mind games failed to shake Real Madrid ahead of their Champions League play-off second leg. Initially, he downplayed City’s chances to just 1%, only to later retract his statement—admitting he had lied. However, by the end of Wednesday night, he might have wished he had never spoken at all.
Kylian Mbappé made sure Guardiola’s words held no weight. With a mesmerizing hat-trick, he shattered City’s hopes, turning their slim 1% chance into absolute zero.
At the Santiago Bernabéu, City’s nightmare unfolded rapidly. Already trailing by a goal from the first leg, they were down 3-0 within 30 minutes. Mbappé’s quick-fire brace gave Real Madrid a commanding lead, leaving even City’s most devoted supporters without hope. By halftime, Guardiola’s side had mentally and physically surrendered.
Real Madrid continued their dominance after the break, sealing City’s fate in the 61st minute when Mbappé completed his hat-trick. Though Nico González salvaged a late consolation goal, it was too little, too late. With a 6-3 aggregate victory, Real Madrid stormed into the next round, while City’s season plunged into deeper disappointment.
