Even and not using a host of Galacticos, Actual Madrid was far too robust for Manchester Metropolis within the newest Champions League conflict of those titans.
A 3-0 win on the Bernabeu on Wednesday (March 12, 2026) put Madrid answerable for this round-of-16 tie on the midway mark after a surprising first-half hat trick by Federico Valverde. The Uruguay worldwide took on the duty of inspiring the report 15-time champion within the absence of injured stars Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo.
“We’re Actual Madrid and it’s best to by no means contemplate us useless,” Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa advised broadcaster Movistar.
The victory may have been much more commanding, however Vinícius Júnior’s casually taken second-half penalty was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain beat Chelsea 5-2 and tiny Bodø/Glimt can also be in sight of the quarterfinals after a 3-0 win over Sporting Lisbon.
Arsenal drew 1-1 with Bayer Leverkusen.
Madrid masterclass
By fulltime at a rocking Bernabeu, the one consolation Metropolis may cling to was the truth that it may have been a lot worse.
When Vinícius stood over the ball on the penalty spot shortly earlier than the hour mark, he regarded sure add to the lead. However the Brazil ahead skipped in his run-up and hit a weak side-footed effort that Donnarumma pushed away.
It can nonetheless take an enormous turnaround to see Metropolis advance after being outclassed by Madrid.
Valverde’s hat trick featured three excellent objectives. The choose of the lot was his third when he flicked the ball over the top of Metropolis defender Marc Guehi earlier than volleying dwelling.
TV cameras caught Bellingham watching within the stadium together with his mouth extensive open in awe of the transfer.
Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola will doubtless be worrying that historical past is ready to repeat itself after his crew was eradicated by the hands of Madrid in every of the final two seasons.
“Our sport was not as unhealthy as this end result,” Guardiola stated. “I am not somebody to say we’re going to flip it spherical, however we’ll attempt.”
PSG takes management towards Chelsea
After dropping to Chelsea within the ultimate of the Membership World Cup final yr, PSG obtained some revenge.
A 3-goal benefit after the primary leg noticed Luis Enrique’s crew take an enormous step towards the final eight.
Chelsea had twice leveled the sport, however a mistake by goalkeeper Filip Jørgensen, who gave the ball away on the sting of his field within the 74th minute, allowed Vitinha to elevate a shot into the open internet.
PSG substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice extra to go away Chelsea with a mountain to climb again at Stamford Bridge.
“That is our most necessary second within the competitors,” Luis Enrique stated. “We’ll attempt to play the second leg in the identical means as we did right this moment. We’ll attempt to win the sport. That is the most effective mentality as if we’re enthusiastic about defending our lead, it might be an enormous mistake.”
No stopping Bodø/Glimt
Bodø/Glimt’s fairytale run simply retains on going. Manchester Metropolis, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan have been left within the tiny Norwegian membership’s wake. Now Sporting Lisbon’s Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread.
Bodø/Glimt — positioned north of the Arctic Circle and farther north than any crew in Champions League historical past — took full benefit of enjoying the primary leg at dwelling and led 2-0 at halftime by means of Sondre Fet’s penalty and Ole Blomberg’s aim simply earlier than the break.
Kasper Hogh scored within the 71st to place his crew getting ready to the following spherical.
Bodø/Glimt was already the primary Norwegian crew to the advance to the knockout rounds of the Champions League and will now go even additional.
Havertz haunts Leverkusen
Kai Havertz returned to hang-out Bayer Leverkusen and seal a late draw for Arsenal.
The Germany worldwide struck an 89th-minute penalty towards the crew the place he began his profession and leveled the round-of-16 first leg tie at BayArena.
“I do know the stadium properly and have taken many penalties from this spot,” stated Havertz, who left Leverkusen for Chelsea in a $95 million deal in 2020.
Premier League main Arsenal fell behind on Robert Andrich’s aim simply after halftime. However Malik Tillman fouled Noni Madueke within the field, and Havertz fired low previous Janis Blaswich from the spot.
“The time between the penalty whistle and the penalty kick felt like an eternity,” Havertz stated. “However in the long run, it’s important to be mentally current in these moments.” Premier League dominance halted After dominating the league part of this yr’s event, Premier League groups have been introduced all the way down to Earth within the spherical of 16.
All English groups fail to register wins
Man Metropolis, Chelsea and Tottenham all fell to heavy defeats, whereas Liverpool additionally misplaced to Galatasaray.
In all, none of England’s six groups within the knockouts gained their first leg, with Arsenal and Newcastle each choosing up attracts.
Arsenal will likely be favourite to beat Leverkusen at dwelling and Liverpool solely has to overturn a 1-0 deficit in its second leg at Anfield.
However Metropolis, Chelsea and Tottenham face massive deficits, whereas Newcastle travels to Camp Nou to play Barcelona.
Printed – March 12, 2026 10:44 am IST
