MANCHESTER City face a mammoth task to keep their Champions League ambitions alive after Federico Valverde’s brilliant first-half hat-trick put Real Madrid in control of this last-16 meeting.
Valverde tormented City with a display of the highest class, Pep Guardiola’s side offering threat up front but too often vulnerable at the back.
Real were without injured pair Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, as well as long-term absentee Rodrygo, but still had enough firepower to punish City’s defensive frailties.
The English side actually started brightly, giving Real some anxious moments, before it all started to unravel in dramatic fashion on 20 minutes.
Real’s opener was simplicity itself, keeper Thibaut Courtois’ long pass dropping behind Nico O’Reilly for Valverde to round the on-rushing Gianluigi Donnarumma to score from a tight angle.
The Uruguayan doubled Real’s advantage seven minutes later with a low finish across Donnarumma before he completed his hat-trick in superb style.
Collecting a delightful, lofted through-ball, the Real captain showed great invention to lift the ball over Marc Guehi in a tight space before beating Donnarumma on the volley.
City looked to be plunging further into trouble on the hour when Real were awarded a penalty after Donnarumma brought down Vinicius.
He took the spot-kick himself, but far too casually against a goalkeeper of such expertise in this situation, Donnarumma diving to his left to save.
City thought they had pulled one back when O’Reilly pounced on Thiago in the area, but Courtois stuck out a leg to save.
Before this meeting at the Bernabeu, City and Real Madrid had met 15 times in the Champions League, with results split evenly between wins, losses and draws.
Guardiola must now inspire one of the greatest comebacks of his reign if City are to maintain their interest in Europe’s elite competition.
It all started well, with Jeremy Doku posing an early threat to Trent Alexander-Arnold, but once City conceded the first goal, which they will regard as soft, Real grew in confidence as they were roared on by their followers in this magnificent arena.
The hosts ensured Erling Haaland was anonymous, although the Norwegian forward was also starved of the service he usually thrives on.
Guardiola selected a side full of attacking intent, but City were done as Real raced through an open midfield and picked holes in their defence.
City had their opportunities, but faced the usual barrier of Courtois, especially when he miraculously saved with his leg after O’Reilly robbed Thiago in the area.
The fact that they had their chances will give City hope of mounting a comeback in the second leg, but this was a hugely disappointing loss and the experienced Champions League campaigners of Real Madrid will feel quietly confident of progress.
City arguably entered this tie as favourites, with Real short of their best and missing significant figures Bellingham, Mbappe and Rodrygo.
Once again however, the Champions League fires up Real, creating a special atmosphere that makes them such formidable opposition.
Valverde is not noted for his goalscoring but this outstanding midfielder showed what he is capable of with a trio of top-class finishes, bringing applause from Bellingham and Mbappe as they watched from the stands.
It was also a good night for former Liverpool defender Alexander-Arnold, who emerged from a tough start to grow into the game, showing some classy touches before earning a warm ovation when he was substituted late on.
The lesson is, if it were not known already, that as long as Real Madrid remain in the Champions League they will be a huge obstacle for any side they face.