Manchester City were odds-on favourites to win the first leg of their blockbuster Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid but have it all to do in the second leg after losing 3-0 at the Bernabeu.
Real captain Federico Valverde produced one of his best performances to date, scoring a first-half hat-trick - the first of his career - to inflict City’s first defeat in 12 games.
Madrid’s opener was teed up by a long ball forward from keeper Thibaut Courtois, with his opposite number Gianluigi Donnarumma opting to back out of a challenge rather than risk a penalty or red card, allowing Valverde to round him and squeeze a tightly-angled finish into the open net.
He added a second and third within 22 minutes, the third a sublime goal, with Brahim Diaz chipping the ball over Ruben Dias and Valverde proceeding to do the same to Guehi, a brilliant touch to set up his volleyed finish.
Courtois produced a point-blank save from Nico O’Reilly after a defensive error in the second half, but City were largely contained and face an uphill battle in the second leg at the Etihad.
Follow latest updates from Real Madrid v Manchester City below:
Real Madrid v Manchester City | Champions League last-16 live
- Real Madrid host Man City in first leg of blockbuster Champions League last-16 tie
- '58 PENALTY SAVED! Donnarumma saves poor Vini Jr spot-kick to make up for conceding penalty with late challenge [RMA 3-0 MCI]
- '42 GOAL! Valverde seals superb hat-trick with magnificent third [RMA 3-0 MCI]
- '27 GOAL! Valverde produces superb finish with quickfire double [RMA 2-0 MCI]
- '20 GOAL! Valverde scores opener against the run of play [RMA 1-0 MCI]
- Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Trent, Huijsen, Rudiger, F. Mendy, Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Brahim, Thiago, Vini Jr
- Man City XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Savinho, Semenyo, Doku, Haaland
Federico Valverde caps superb night for Real Madrid’s understudies as Pep Guardiola gets it wrong
22:08 , Richard JollyThere are performances that are destined for a special place even in a history as rich as Real Madrid’s. Fede Valverde has achieved much in his time at the Bernabeu and may yet end this season lifting the Champions League trophy but this was his night, a seminal, spectacular performance.
Often Real’s deluxe odd-job man, Valverde took on the role of the superstar, glittering on a terrible night for Pep Guardiola.
No Kylian Mbappe, no Jude Bellingham, no Rodrgyo? No problem. Valverde more than compensated for the absence of Real’s injured attackers. He took on the mantle of the sidelined Rodrygo, often the tormentor of Manchester City.
He had three goals all season. Indeed, he had three in 75 Champions League appearances. Then came three before half-time. Stand-in skipper, stand-in scorer, he was outstanding. The first hat-trick of his career was completed with the best of a terrific trio and came in a virtuoso display.
Valverde caps superb night for Real Madrid’s understudies as Guardiola gets it wrong
Champions League last 16
23:08 , Flo CliffordHere’s how we’re poised ahead of the second legs:
Tuesday 17 March
Sporting CP vs Bodo/Glimt (0-3 agg.) - 5.45pm
Arsenal vs Leverkusen (1-1 agg.)
Chelsea vs PSG (2-5 agg.)
Man City vs Real Madrid (0-3 agg.)
Wednesday 18 March
Barcelona vs Newcastle (1-1 agg.) - 5.45pm
Liverpool vs Galatasaray (0-1 agg.)
Tottenham vs Atletico (2-5 agg.)
Bayern Munich vs Atalanta (6-1 agg.)
'It is what it is' - Pep Guardiola
22:52 , Flo CliffordManchester City boss Pep Guardiola is in a phlegmatic mood as he speaks to TNT Sport.
He says: “Real Madrid had the ability and the quality. It is what it is. I felt we were better than the result. Now is the time to recover. We'll go to West Ham which will be tough."
Is the comeback on? “In football you never know. We will try.” Excellent insight, Pep.
'It feels really dark' - Bernardo Silva
22:46 , Flo CliffordBernardo Silva adds it was “quite frustrating” to not score, “even though we believe it is stillpossible because in football a lot of things can happen. At half-time we were saying, ‘the situation is bad’ there were a lot of things that shouldn’t havehappened but with one goal you are in the tie.
“At 3-0 it makes it a bit more difficult. Now it feels really bad, now it feels really dark. Tomorrow is another day and for sure next week we will go to the game thinking we have a chance.
“Right now is the moment to reflect and see what we didn’t do right. Then next week when we are preparing we will be hopeful we can do something.”
'Tough stadium to play at' - Bernardo Silva
22:39 , Flo CliffordManchester City captain Bernardo Silva tells TNT Sports: “It is difficult to speak about it because I would need to watch it again. My feeling on the pitch was that we started the gamewell.
“The environment we could not control and I think my team let the emotions change the game. We felt comfortable and were finding the right spaces butafter conceding the first one we lost completely the control, we stopped controlling transitions and second balls. When you play against Real Madridwith the quality they have you pay the price.
“It is a tough stadium to play at. We are used to playing at these stadiums because playing at Anfield and St James’ Park is very tough. You need to go through these moments to become better and today was just a learning game for the whole team.”
Alexander-Arnold: 'A lot of people were expecting us to get battered'
22:32 , Flo CliffordTrent Alexander-Arnold speaks to TNT Sports now. He says: “A lot of people were expecting us to get battered tonight. But it shows the mentality, this competition means a lot to the club and us as players. Anyone can win and we’ve absolutely executed the game plan perfectly in the first half,” he says.
It’s put to him that it’s almost like Real were offended at suggestions City were the favourites tonight. “Of course. The way that both teams have been playing, it could have been true, but when you get to knockout football in the Champions League, anyone can beat anyone.”
He adds that Valverde is, “undoubtedly the most underrated player on the planet” and laughs at the footage of Bellingham’s reaction. “As a player the best attribute you can have is that your teammates can always count on you, he never lets us down. For many years he’s been in that top bracket of midfielders.”
Man City face uphill battle
22:26 , Flo CliffordBy the second leg Real may well have Mbappe back too, as he’s been in training...
He was in the crowd tonight and went wild celebrating Valverde’s hat-trick. Bellingham, also in the crowd, was gobsmacked at the third, jaw dropping and clapping in disbelief, miming bowing down to his teammate.
Bad week for Premier League teams
22:21 , Flo CliffordIt’s been a terrible week all round for the Premier League sides in the Champions League. Arsenal were hot favourites after the league phase but needed a late penalty to even draw with Leverkusen, Newcastle came undone with a late penalty going against them too, and every other side lost.
- Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
- Atletico Madrid 5-2 Tottenham
- Newcastle 1-1 Barcelona
- Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal
- Paris St-Germain 5-2 Chelsea
- Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
Full scores from Champions League tonight
22:15 , Flo CliffordHere’s how it finished across Europe tonight:
- Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal
- Paris St-Germain 5-2 Chelsea
- Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
- Bodo/Glimt 3-0 Sporting CP
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
22:00 , Flo Clifford
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:57 , Richard JollyWhat a night for Fede Valverde, for Real and for Alvaro Arbeloa, who probably wasn't expected to get the better of Pep Guardiola. Now City feel on the brink of elimination, Real potentially playing Bayern Munich in the last eight.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:55 , Flo CliffordMan City were unbeaten in 11 games going into this and Real Madrid were real underdogs... but it’s Guardiola’s first defeat since January and they were thoroughly outclassed tonight.
Valverde has a big grin on his face as he waves to the crowd.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:53 , Flo Clifford‘90+4: Last chance saloon for City, O’Reilly drives forward but Huijsen makes a big block!
Full-time in Madrid!
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:52 , Flo Clifford‘90+3: Final 30 seconds or so in Madrid. The Bernabeu is bouncing.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:51 , Flo Clifford‘90+2: Doku looks to beat Carvajal at the backline but Carvajal makes the challenge to send it out for a corner.
It’s played short, Fran Garcia is wise to it as they attempt to thread it through to Doku.
Real crowd out the box. City still have it...
Two minutes of stoppage time left...
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:48 , Flo Clifford‘89: City have a late free-kick. It’s played short and hit with power by Cherki, but straight into the gloves of Courtois.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:44 , Flo Clifford‘85: It’s been a good night for Alexander-Arnold, by the way, solid at the back.
Haaland has had zero shots and only one touch in the box. Can Marmoush do any better?
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:42 , Flo Clifford‘84: That’s Alexander-Arnold’s last action of the game; he’s replaced by Carvajal.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:41 , Flo Clifford‘83: The utterly anonymous Haaland is hooked for Marmoush.
Alexander-Arnold whips in a lovely free-kick from deep, Rudiger is the target, but City boot it clear.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:40 , Richard JollyCity will remember they beat Real 4-0 in 2023 at the Etihad. But the difference is that they didn't need to win by that margin then. Getting a repeat scoreline would be harder if they kick off next week three goals down.
CHANCE! Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:39 , Flo Clifford‘80: Great pass by Cherki down the right channel... Doku gets inside, has it on his right foot, he really should just put his foot through it but he dithers and Madrid block him out.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:37 , Flo Clifford‘78: Fran Garcia with another excellent run, hooking the ball clear. He’s been solid at the back since coming on at half-time.
Doku charges through, it takes a deflection, and Courtois falls on it gratefully. City have threatened a lot more in the last ten minutes or so.
A nice moment by Arbeloa, by the way, giving Pitarch a big hug as he went off. That’s how you treat a youngster who’s made a mistake...
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:35 , Flo Clifford‘76: More subs: Brahim Diaz and Pitarch - who probably feels dreadful about his last touch - come off for Mastantuono and Manuel Angel, the latter making his European debut.
SAVE! Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:34 , Flo Clifford‘75: Glorious save by Courtois! Thiago Pitarch gets in a mess at the back and O’Reilly dinks it round him mere yards from goal, but Courtois gets his fingertips to it!
Thiago apologises profusely.
The resulting corner is too high for Haaland.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:32 , Flo Clifford‘74: Courtois leaps into the air to save. Assured goalkeeping.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:32 , Flo Clifford‘74: Around 20 minutes to go. City pass the ball between them on the edge of the Real box but aren’t finding a lot of space to break through.
Reijnders has a shot which takes a deflection off a good block by Tchouameni and loops over the bar. Corner to City...
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:30 , Flo Clifford‘71: Brahim Diaz is on the march again but Ruben Dias, after initially gifting him the ball, makes a clean tackle to bring him down and avoid a fourth.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:29 , Flo Clifford‘70: Couple of changes now: Guler comes off for Camavinga, while Guardiola brings on Cherki and Ait-Nouri for Silva and Semenyo.
CHANCE! Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:28 , Flo Clifford‘69: Brilliant defending by Rudiger! City venture out of their own half and it’s a sublime long pass to Semenyo at the back post; he lashes it across goal but Rudiger gets there before Haaland.
A corner aimed at Haaland is straight into Courtois’ gloves, and Real counter immediately, but Khusanov blocks in the middle of the park.
CLOSE! Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:25 , Flo Clifford‘67: Brahim Diaz squares to Vini Jr, who again has the beating of Khusanov, drops his shoulder, and bends a lovely effort just a fraction wide! Donnarumma was beaten and Vini Jr claps his hand in frustration. So close to 4-0.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:23 , Flo Clifford‘65: Vini Jr finds a gap and shoots but Donnarumma is called into action twice in quick succession, collecting that with relative ease; Guler now drills a powerfuls strike just wide.
Real are still pressing; that penalty miss seems to have woken them up again.
Tchouameni has hit the deck after a Rodri high-kick and that looks a sore one; he limps off for a moment. Sub incoming? No, he’s back on.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:20 , Flo Clifford‘60: Semenyo makes the run in behind Fran Garcia but the left-back does excellently to get a high boot to it and clear the danger.
Still replaying Vini Jr’s simply dire penalty attempted. Way too casual and Donnarumma knew exactly where it was going, rolling toward the bottom right. Vini Jr held his hand up in apology to the crowd, the other hand on the club crest on his shirt.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:16 , Richard Jolly‘58: Has Donnarumma kept City in the tie? That was a poor penalty by Vinicius but a huge save nonetheless. And the Italian was incredible in the knockout stages for PSG last year as they went on to win the competition.
PENALTY SAVED! Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:16 , Flo Clifford‘57: Penalty and yellow card to Donnarumma. Oh dear...
But oh my word, he saves Vini Jr’s spot-kick! Gets down low to his left and palms it away! A big save and a massive moment.
PENALTY? Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:15 , Flo Clifford‘56: Huijsen heads the resulting corner away and Real counter - it’s all Vini Jr, latching onto the long ball, he has Khusanov on the ropes, Donnarumma runs off his line and gets a palm to him but trips up Vini Jr in the process!
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:13 , Flo Clifford‘55: A very soft foul by Courtois, that, but it spares O’Reilly’s blushes. Now Doku flashes a ball into the box, takes it on the spin and sends it towards the back post. Huijsen plays him onside... City can’t make anything of it.
Better from them now though as Silva dinks a lovely ball forward to Semenyo at the far post... Courtois saves.
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:08 , Flo Clifford‘50: Dias stuck out a leg to deny Vini Jr on the rebound from Donnarumma’s earlier save - crucial move there.
In all the business of this half so far, I haven’t had time to mention Guardiola has swapped out Savinho for Reijnders, and Fran Garcia has replaced Mendy for the hosts.
CHANCE! Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:07 , Flo Clifford‘49: City have a corner and O’Reilly is at the back post but sends it wide by millimetres!
The referee blows his whistle anyway for a foul in the build-up.
The camera pans to a smiley Mbappe in the crowd; turns out Real haven’t needed him so far.
SAVE! Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:06 , Flo Clifford‘47: Good grief, Real nearly pick up where they left off... this time it’s Brahim Diaz with an elegant run into the box, he jinks around Guehi and leaves him sprawling on the floor.
He forces a fine, low save from Donnarumma and Vini Jr can’t get to the rebound!
SECOND HALF: Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
21:04 , Flo CliffordBack underway! Can Real build on this lead, or will City turn it around?
Joe Hart explains Gianluigi Donnarumma’s bizarre mistake for Real Madrid goal in Champions League tie
20:55 , Lawrence OstlereSome half-time reading on that first goal:
Joe Hart explains Donnarumma’s bizarre mistake for Madrid goal in Champions League
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
20:53 , Richard JollyAstonishing. Fede Valverde has a hat-trick. Not too many do that against a Pep Guardiola team.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
20:49 , Flo CliffordHalf-time at the Bernabeu and the entire stadium (well, not the City bit) just applauds.
The first hat-trick of Valverde’s entire career, in fact, and all three brilliant goals - that last one the pick of the bunch.
A serious Pep pep talk coming up, you would think...
Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
20:48 , Flo Clifford‘44: That is an absolutely superb goal, and a fine pass by Brahim Diaz to tee up Valverde, who has scored his first ever Champions League hat-trick. Magnificent stuff.
There will be one minute added on to this half.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Man City
20:45 , Flo Clifford‘42: Doku curls in an decent effort but Courtois jumps to it with ease.
And Madrid counter, Vini Jr squaring to Thiago... it’s played to Brahim Diaz in a busy penalty area, who loops it over Dias, and Valverde is there with a half-volley, a magnificent touch to chip over Guehi - and it’s a Valverde hat-trick, the first of his career!
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City
20:42 , Flo Clifford‘40: Fun fact: Courtois has more Champions League assists this season than Mbappe or Bellingham (with one each), according to TNT Sports commentary.
Silva whips in a corner and Haaland tries to get his bonce to it, but it goes behind for another corner.
Madrid win a free-kick for some pushing and shoving in the box.
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City
20:40 , Flo Clifford‘37: It’s played short to Semenyo, who sprints along the byline and drills it across - but Mendy blocks. Doku recycles and still looks the brightest of the City players.
By the way, Fede Valverde has scored his first ever brace in a Champions League game, on his 76th appearance.
Another City free-kick is cleared. Real are looking quite compact in defence.
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City
20:37 , Flo Clifford‘35: Here’s that second goal. Real are dominating possession now.
City win a free-kick far wide on the right as Tchouameni brings down his man.
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City
20:34 , Flo Clifford‘32: And this is something of a second-string Real team: Mbappe and Bellingham out, lacklustre form in recent weeks... this is vintage Real Madrid.
Still time for it to all change, though...
Real Madrid 2-0 Man City
20:32 , Flo Clifford‘30: So after all that early City pressure, Real are 2-0 up.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Man City
20:30 , Flo Clifford‘27: Fede Valverde again!
Scrap that - he has three in a week, two in a couple of minutes!
Vinir Jr picks up the ball at the touchline and dances forward, Valverde is there on the overlap, takes a touch, and it’s a sublime finish, low and hard into the bottom corner!
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City
20:28 , Richard JollyFede Valverde is finding a way to compensate for the absence of Real's injured attackers. He only had two goals all season. Now he has two in a week.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City
20:27 , Richard JollyOne of the subplots of tonight - or possibly the plot of tonight - is Jeremy Doku running at Trent Alexander-Arnold. The last time they met, Doku got past Alexander-Arnold 12 times... and Liverpool still beat City.
Real Madrid 1-0 Man City
20:26 , Flo Clifford‘23: That was a bit of a clanger from Donnarumma but excellent keeping down the other end, with Courtois punting a lovely ball forward and Valverde reading it perfectly.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Man City
20:22 , Flo Clifford‘20: Oh my word, City have been pushing so much and been so elegant but it’s Real who have the opener!
A long ball forward by Courtois lands in Valverde’s path; he takes a lovely touch to round O’Reilly and Donnarumma makes a hash of things, running out and slipping, allowing Valverde ages of time to run wide and slot a cool, low strike into the back of the net.
Real Madrid 0-0 Man City
20:18 , Flo Clifford‘16: Semenyo finds a pocket of space but slips in the centre of the box! Very unfortunate. Tottenham came a cropper several times on a slippery pitch elsewhere in Madrid last night.
CHANCE! Real Madrid 0-0 Man City
20:18 , Flo Clifford‘16: Doku beats Alexander-Arnold with a pacy run down the left flank and a neat little stepover but Valverde hustles back to block his attempted cross. City have a corner...
Real Madrid 0-0 Man City
20:16 , Flo Clifford‘13: It’s been a good start by City although Real have had the biggest actual chance so far.
Now O’Reilly sends in a cross for Doku, who has been the danger man so far, but Courtois gets a thumb to it and averts the danger.
Guardiola tinkers with formation again
20:13 , Richard JollySo Guardiola is playing wingers. It is a 4-2-3-1 with Semenyo as a 10. Real have no out-and-out striker.
SAVE! Real Madrid 0-0 Man City
20:11 , Flo Clifford‘9: Doku is next to drill one across Courtois’ goal but Haaland is out of position when he really should poke it home!
End-to-end and Donnarumma gets down low to save from Brahim Diaz!
SAVE! Real Madrid 0-0 Man City
20:09 , Flo Clifford‘7: City on the counter! It’s the big man Haaland driving down the centre, Semenyo is up there too but Huijsen sends Haaland sprawling.
City nab it back though and it’s an old nemesis in Alexander-Arnold who does very well to float across and defend against the Norwegian.
Courtois saves from Semenyo; City have been probing in these early stages.
Real Madrid 0-0 Man City
20:06 , Flo Clifford‘4: The field opens up for City and it’s Doku who weaves down the right flank; he’s got space to let one fly but dithers and Real get numbers back in time to smother that.
Real Madrid 0-0 Man City
20:04 , Flo Clifford‘2: Guardiola has picked a very attacking line-up and this does look a prime opportunity for City to get one over a team who have dumped them out several times in recent seasons.
Real are having some early possession and win the first free-kick as Tchouameni is brought down in the middle of the park.
Real Madrid vs Man City
20:02 , Flo CliffordHere we go!
Real Madrid v Man City
19:58 , Flo CliffordIn the tunnel Vinicius Jr gives Savinho, his international teammate, a hug... now time for business.
The roof is closed and the atmosphere is predictably electric, a host of home fans clad all in white bouncing already.
Real Madrid remember their history
19:57 , Richard JollyOn the screen at the Bernabeu, they are showing videos of some of the goals that won Real the Champions League. Topically, if rather unfairly right now, they include Loris Karius' blunders in the 2018 final. The German's name has been mentioned rather a lot in the last 24 hours after Antonin Kinsky's harrowing display for Tottenham elsewhere in Madrid.
Last time out
19:55 , Flo CliffordPep Guardiola’s side triumphed 2-1 at the Bernabeu in the league phase, with goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland.
They’ll be hoping for more of the same tonight, with a full-strength City side taking on a somewhat makeshift Madrid outfit suffering from an injury crisis.
Team news reminder
19:52 , Flo CliffordReal Madrid XI: Courtois, Trent, Huijsen, Rudiger, F. Mendy, Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Brahim, Thiago, Vini Jr
Man City XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Savinho, Semenyo, Doku, Haaland
Real Madrid v Man City
19:47 , Flo Clifford
Vinicius Jr scores decisive goal as Real Madrid defeat Benfica one week after racism storm
19:37 , Flo CliffordManchester City qualified automatically into the last 16 but Real had to do it the hard way, beating Benfica 3-1 in the playoffs after the Portuguese side sprung a surprise in a 4-2 win in their final league phase encounter.
Here’s how Real did it:
Vinicius Jr scores decisive goal as Real Madrid defeat Benfica
Last-16 second legs
19:30 , Flo CliffordYesterday’s and tonight’s ties will all be decided next week:
Tuesday 17th March
- 17:45 Sporting CP vs Bodo/Glimt
- 20:00 Arsenal vs Leverkusen
- 20:00 Chelsea vs PSG
- 20:00 Man City vs Real Madrid
Wednesday 18th March
- 17:45 Barcelona vs Newcastle
- 20:00 Bayern Munich vs Atalanta
- 20:00 Liverpool vs Galatasaray
- 20:00 Tottenham vs Atletico
The Champions League has eroded the soul of European football – here’s how to fix it
19:24 , Flo CliffordWhen the draw for the Champions League last 16 was made, there were at least a few Uefa figures who winced. That was because they were anticipating reactions like that of Pep Guardiola, who rightly said it was “a little bit weird” that Manchester City and Real Madrid were facing each other for the fifth consecutive season and sixth occasion in seven years. Some in Uefa counter that comes from the clear logic of the new seeding system, that the clubs voted for.
But what else is likely to happen when it’s mostly the same teams all the time? And now, increasingly, when it’s teams from the same country all the time?
England has six clubs in the Champions League last 16, which is obviously unprecedented. High-level Uefa sources would privately admit such a situation - from any country - is also undesirable. The greater issue is that the very structuring of European football makes it more likely to happen, not less.
More analysis from Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney here:
The Champions League has eroded the soul of European football – here’s how to fix it
Kyle Walker brings end to England ‘dream’ after announcing international retirement
19:17 , Flo CliffordIn other news, former Manchester City player Kyle Walker called time on his international career this week.
The Burnley defender is in a select group of players who started two finals for England, in Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, and won 96 caps between his debut in 2011 and his final appearance last June.
However, he brought his England career to a close after losing his place in the squad this season, ending his chances of going to this summer’s World Cup in the United States and his ambition of reaching 100 caps.
Kyle Walker brings end to England ‘dream’ after announcing international retirement
Why latest chapter in Man City and Real Madrid rivalry is different to the rest
19:10 , Chris WilsonAs time went by, Luis Enrique’s prediction made him sound prophetic. At this stage 12 months ago, he said whoever went through from his last-16 tie would make it to the Champions League final. Paris Saint-Germain had a 1-0 first-leg deficit to Liverpool when he spoke. PSG overturned it, went to the final and won it 5-0.
It is tempting to wonder if Carlo Ancelotti or Pep Guardiola had ever turned forecaster when they met. If so, they would have identified the eventual winner. In 2022, Real Madrid beat Manchester City in the semi-finals and won their 14th European Cup. In 2024, they eliminated them in the last eight and went to take their 15th. In between, City’s 2023 semi-final win propelled them to their maiden Champions League. It may be unfair to other clubs – Liverpool, Inter, Borussia Dortmund among them – to call it a final by another name. In a way, it was.
Why latest chapter in Man City and Real Madrid rivalry is different to the rest
Guardiola shuffles his cards
19:06 , Richard Jolly in MadridPep Guardiola likes to spring a surprise and he may have done again. He has been playing a winger-less 4-2-2-2 formation of late.
So he picks three wingers today, in Antoine Semenyo, Savinho and Jeremy Doku. We will have to see who is up front with Erling Haaland.
Meanwhile, a big night for Abdukodir Khusanov, who is up against Vinicius Junior, in what long used to be Kyle Walker's job.
Man City team news
19:02 , Flo CliffordGuehi and Semenyo make their Champions League debuts for City, with Khusanov starting at right-back.
Silva, Donnarumma, Dias and Rodri all come into the starting line-up alongside Haaland.
Haaland returns
18:56 , Flo CliffordThe other star striker in this fixture however very much will be involved: Erling Haaland was rested for City’s 3-1 win over Newcastle in the FA Cup this weekend, but is back in the starting XI tonight.
Mbappe out of Real Madrid squad
18:55 , Flo CliffordThe big news is that Kylian Mbappe, who has 38 goals for Real this season, misses out on a berth in the squad entirely.
He missed Tuesday’s training session with a knee injury.
Real Madrid line-up
18:51 , Flo CliffordReal Madrid XI: Courtois, Trent, Huijsen, Rudiger, F. Mendy, Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Brahim, Thiago, Vini Jr
Substitutes: Lunin, Fran Gonzalez, Carvajal, Camavinga, Gonzalo, Asencio, Fran Garcia, Mastantuono, Diego Aguado, Cestero, Manuel Angel, Palacios
📋✅ Our starting XI!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 11, 2026
🆚 @ManCity pic.twitter.com/XZqCIU1uVo
Man City line-up
18:48 , Flo CliffordMan City XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Savinho, Semenyo, Doku, Haaland
Substitutes: Trafford, Bettinelli, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Marmoush, Cherki, Nico, Ait-Nouri, Nunes, Foden, Alleyne
Our side to face Real Madrid 🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 11, 2026
XI | Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo (C), Savinho, Semenyo, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Trafford, Bettinelli, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Marmoush, Cherki, Nico, Ait-Nouri, Nunes, Foden, Alleyne pic.twitter.com/VRQuIVM4nc
Team news
18:40 , Chris WilsonLine-ups will be released in the next five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news for both sides...
Real are missing multiple star names including Mbappe and Rodrygo up front and Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos in midfield, with their defence also stretched to breaking point with Eder Militao, David Alaba and Alvaro Carreras also sidelined with injuries. Eduardo Camavinga is back, however.
Pep Guardiola is missing Josko Gvardiol with a tibia fracture and Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis with ankle issues, but after making 10 changes against Newcastle in their 3-1 FA Cup win at the weekend, should be back to a full-strength and well-rested side.
Tonight's Champions League fixtures
18:35 , Chris WilsonHere’s the full list of tonight’s Champions League fixtures, with the Arsenal game already underway at the BayArena:
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal - 5.45pm
PSG vs Chelsea - 8pm
Real Madrid vs Man City - 8pm
Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting - 8pm
Match stats
18:25 , Chris WilsonMan City will face Real Madrid for the 16th time in the Champions League, twice as often as they have faced any other team in the competition (Bayern Munich - 8). This will be the first time two teams have met in the knockout phase of the competition in five consecutive seasons.
Only Bayern Munich (8) and Juventus (7) have won more Champions League games against Real Madrid than Manchester City (5), who beat them 2-1 in this season's league phase.
John Stones aiming to force his way back into Man City team amid increased competition
18:16 , Chris WilsonJohn Stones wants to give Pep Guardiola a selection headache and is looking forward to an exciting end to the season for club and country as he said he hoped he had put the lonely times of an injury lay-off behind him.
The centre-back captained Manchester City to victory at Newcastle in the FA Cup on Saturday, but it was just his second start since November after struggling with a calf problem.
Stones, who has been an integral part of the England defence at the last four major tournaments, was watched by Thomas Tuchel at St James’ Park as he stepped up his comeback.
John Stones aims to force his way back into Man City team amid increased competition
The Champions League has eroded the soul of European football – here’s how to fix it
18:05 , Chris WilsonWhen the draw for the Champions League last 16 was made, there were at least a few Uefa figures who winced. That was because they were anticipating reactions like that of Pep Guardiola, who rightly said it was “a little bit weird” that Manchester City and Real Madrid were facing each other for the fifth consecutive season and sixth occasion in seven years. Some in Uefa counter that comes from the clear logic of the new seeding system, that the clubs voted for.
But what else is likely to happen when it’s mostly the same teams all the time? And now, increasingly, when it’s teams from the same country all the time?
The Champions League has eroded the soul of European football – here’s how to fix it
When is Real Madrid v Man City?
17:55 , Chris WilsonReal Madrid host Man City at the Estadio Bernabeu in Madrid on Wednesday 11 March, with kick-off at 8pm GMT.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the game live on TNT Sports 1 and subscription service discovery+.
Predicted line-ups
17:47 , Chris WilsonReal Madrid XI: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy, Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Guler, G. Garcia, Vinicius Jr
Man City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri, Bernardo, Rodri, O’Reilly, Semenyo, Haaland, Marmoush
Team news
17:43 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola is missing Josko Gvardiol with a tibia fracture and Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis with ankle issues, but after making 10 changes against Newcastle in their 3-1 FA Cup win at the weekend, should be back to a full-strength and well-rested side.
Team news
17:40 , Chris WilsonReal are missing multiple star names including Mbappe and Rodrygo up front and Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos in midfield, with their defence also stretched to breaking point with Eder Militao, David Alaba and Alvaro Carreras also sidelined with injuries. Eduardo Camavinga is back, however.
Real Madrid vs Man City live
17:35 , Chris WilsonReal Madrid and Manchester City renew their rivalry on Wednesday night with their second clash of the season and 17th overall, in one of the Champions League’s most hotly contested fixtures.
However, neither side has been at their best this season, with each team’s star player misfiring somewhat: Kylian Mbappe is missing due to injury and Erling Haaland is suffering a goal drought with just four in his last 17 games.
Real may even be the underdogs for once - although you’d be rash to write them off, having avenged a 4-2 defeat to Benfica in their final league phase encounter with a 3-1 victory in the knockout playoffs to make the last 16.
Man City progressed automatically to the last 16 and came out on top in their league phase match, winning 2-1 at the Bernabeu in December.
Good afternoon
17:31 , Flo CliffordHello and welcome to live coverage of Real Madrid v Manchester City in the Champions League.
It’s the first leg of a blockbuster last-16 tie - follow along here for build-up, team news, and latest updates.
