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Federico Valverde scores a hat trick as Real Madrid beats Manchester City 3-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League.
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The Uruguayan midfielder shines as Alvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid bounces back after recent league losses.
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Despite the absence of Mbappe, Bellingham, and Rodrygo, Valverde steps up with six goals since January.
There was some concern before Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Manchester City on Wednesday.
With a new coach, they had recently lost two league games and needed a last-minute deflection to defeat Celta Vigo last weekend.
Valverde eliminated those doubts with an impressive first half, scoring three goals in Madrid’s 3-0 win in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
He opened the scoring after 20 minutes, finishing off a quick counterattack and rounding the goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with a smooth touch.
Seven minutes later, he received a pass from Vinicius Junior and struck a low shot with his weaker left foot to make it 2-0.
The best was yet to come, as he took a clever chip from Brahim Diaz, flicked it over Marc Guéhi’s leg, and volleyed it past Donnarumma to complete his hat trick just before halftime.
The home crowd cheered his name as the teams left the pitch.