‘Pep Guardiola Stay!’ – Real Madrid Fans Mock Man City Coach After Kylian Mbappe Hat-Trick Dumps Cityzens Out of Champions League

In a night of footballing brilliance at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid ruthlessly dismantled Manchester City with a resounding 3-1 victory, completing a 6-3 aggregate win that sent Pep Guardiola’s men crashing out of the Champions League. The match belonged to one man—Kylian Mbappé, whose sensational hat-trick ensured Madrid’s passage into the next round while exposing City’s frailties on the grandest stage.

As the final whistle echoed around the Bernabéu, Madrid’s jubilant fans took their celebrations a step further, mocking Guardiola with chants of “¡Guardiola, quédate!” (“Guardiola, stay!”), a sarcastic plea for the City boss to remain in charge after yet another European disappointment. The scene encapsulated the Spanish giants’ dominance and Guardiola’s continued struggles against them in crucial knockout ties.

Match Highlights: Mbappé’s Masterclass

From the first whistle, Real Madrid showed their intent. They pressed high, dominated possession, and wasted no time in putting City under pressure. In the 4th minute, Mbappé announced his presence in spectacular fashion, latching onto a precise through ball from Jude Bellingham and chipping Ederson with audacious finesse. The early goal sent Madrid’s fans into a frenzy, setting the tone for a night of relentless attacking football.

City, still reeling from the shock, attempted to respond. Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne combined well in midfield, but Madrid’s defensive organization, marshaled by Antonio Rüdiger, kept them at bay. Meanwhile, the hosts continued to exploit City’s weaknesses. In the 27th minute, Mbappé struck again, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Ruben Dias to fire a low shot past Ederson.

Pep Guardiola, visibly frustrated on the sidelines, urged his side to push forward, but Madrid’s counterattacking threat loomed large. The knockout punch came just after halftime when Mbappé completed his hat-trick, finishing a rapid counterattack initiated by Vinícius Jr. and Luka Modrić. The Bernabéu erupted as the French superstar wheeled away in celebration, having effectively sealed the tie.

City managed to salvage a consolation goal through Nico González, but by then, the damage had been done. Madrid’s supremacy was clear, and City’s hopes of European glory were once again dashed.

Guardiola’s Post-Match Reflections: End of an Era?

In his post-match press conference, Guardiola cut a dejected figure, acknowledging his side’s shortcomings. When asked whether this defeat signified the end of a cycle for Manchester City, he responded candidly: “¿Fin de ciclo? Parece que sí.” (“End of a cycle? It seems so.”) His words hinted at an upcoming transitional phase for the reigning English champions.

Guardiola admitted that Real Madrid were superior in every department, praising their tactical discipline, efficiency in front of goal, and defensive solidity. “They punished us for every mistake. We tried, but we were second-best all over the pitch.”

While he refrained from openly discussing his future, there was an uncharacteristic sense of resignation in his tone. Having built one of the most dominant club sides in modern history, Guardiola now faces a critical period of introspection and possible squad restructuring.

Fan Reactions: Madrid Revels in Guardiola’s Misery

The atmosphere inside the Bernabéu was electric as Madrid fans rejoiced in yet another famous European triumph. Among their celebrations, the mocking chants directed at Guardiola stood out, a playful yet pointed reminder of the Catalan manager’s repeated failures against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Madrid supporters took to social media to further revel in City’s defeat, with memes and clips of Guardiola’s stunned expression going viral. The loss reignited discussions about his Champions League shortcomings, particularly in high-pressure knockout rounds.

On the flip side, Manchester City fans were left devastated, many expressing frustration over their team’s inability to break through Madrid’s defensive resilience. Some questioned Guardiola’s tactics, while others lamented the absence of Erling Haaland, who was sidelined due to injury. “We lacked a clinical finisher up top, and Madrid took advantage,” one City fan remarked.

What’s Next for Manchester City?

With their European campaign cut short, City must now refocus their efforts on domestic competitions. They remain locked in a fierce Premier League title race and will also look to defend their FA Cup title. However, the psychological scars from this defeat could linger, raising concerns about the squad’s mentality in big matches.

Guardiola will likely demand reinforcements in the summer transfer window, with defensive stability and attacking depth emerging as key areas to address. Meanwhile, the question remains: Will he stay to oversee this rebuilding process, or could this defeat push him closer to the exit door?

Real Madrid’s Statement of Intent

For Real Madrid, this victory serves as a resounding statement to the rest of Europe. Their ability to dismantle the reigning English champions with such authority underscores their status as serial winners in the Champions League. With Mbappé thriving, Bellingham orchestrating, and their defense rock solid, they now look like strong favorites to go all the way.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s performance, particularly highlighting Mbappé’s leadership on the pitch. “He was unplayable tonight. But it wasn’t just him—every player executed their role to perfection.”

As Madrid sets its sights on yet another Champions League triumph, City must lick their wounds and regroup. Whether Guardiola can bounce back from this latest setback remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Real Madrid still reign supreme in Europe.