Valverde's incredible 45 minutes

Federico Valverde scored a hat-trick in the first half at the Bernabeu, leading Real Madrid to a 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League round of 16.

Valverde scored a hat-trick against Man City.

Federico Valverde walked onto the Bernabeu pitch wearing the captain's armband and the number 8 shirt, the number Toni Kroos had once wanted him to inherit. The Uruguayan midfielder shook hands with the children standing on either side of the tunnel before stepping into the dazzling lights of the Champions League.

An incredible first half from Valverde.

Forty-five minutes later, Valverde was the first to leave the pitch at the end of the first half. He stopped in the tunnel, clenching his fists. His reaction was surprisingly calm considering what had just happened. In less than a half, Valverde had scored three goals against Man City. Three goals, three different finishes, and all were beautiful.

The Bernabeu has witnessed many extraordinary performances in Champions League history. But Valverde's first half still felt special. On the tunnel wall is a famous quote by Alfredo Di Stefano: "No player is better than the team as a whole."

But at the Bernabeu, that saying seemed to be put to the test. Valverde moved all over the pitch. He defended, pressed, pushed forward, and scored. In many moments, the Uruguayan midfielder looked as if he was carrying the entire system on his own. His three goals came in just 22 minutes.

Valverde delivered a brilliant performance against Man City.

The match didn't start easily for Real Madrid. Man City pressed hard and tried to control the game. In the first 20 minutes, Valverde frequently dropped deep to support the right flank.

He played as a supporting right-back to help the team resist pressure from "The Citizens". But once Real Madrid found their rhythm, Valverde immediately became the central figure.

The opening goal perfectly showcased his quality. Thibaut Courtois launched a long ball out to the right wing to break the pressing. Valverde controlled the ball with just one touch, beat Nico O'Reilly, and sprinted into the penalty area. He beat Gianluigi Donnarumma and finished with a shot to score.

Three touches of the ball. Nearly 100 meters covered. And Real Madrid took the lead.

The second goal was also very impressive. Valverde controlled the ball while running, then unleashed a powerful left-footed shot after adjusting the ball with his right foot.

The third goal was the perfect moment to end the first half. Brahim Diaz delivered a delicate chip pass. Valverde controlled the ball, pushed it past Marc Guehi, and then volleyed it into Donnarumma's net. The play reminded many of Dennis Bergkamp's refined style of play.

Real Madrid put one foot in the quarter-finals after a 3-0 victory over Man City.

In the final minutes of the match, Valverde dropped deep again, playing like a right-back. He also made a crucial tackle that helped Real Madrid keep a clean sheet. Three goals are only part of the story. The rest is due to his immense workload on the pitch.

Bernabeu's Champions League night

When the match ended, Valverde was the last to leave the tunnel to receive the Man of the Match award. It was almost midnight when he walked off the pitch. The stands were nearly empty, and the lawnmowers were starting to operate.

In his hands was the match ball. Waiting outside was Pirri, the honorary president of Real Madrid. The 81-year-old legend was the only midfielder before Valverde to score a hat-trick in the Champions League for Real Madrid.

This victory came as a surprise to many, except perhaps for Real Madrid themselves. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa called it "a magical night." He even likened Valverde to "the Juanito of the 21st century," referring to the legend associated with the club's famous comebacks.

Trent Alexander-Arnold offered a more blunt assessment: "Valverde has been the most underrated player in the world for many years."

The most amusing reactions came from the stands. After the third goal, Jude Bellingham could only gape in astonishment before bursting into laughter. In another section, Kylian Mbappe jumped to his feet and shouted loudly.

As for Valverde, in a moment captured by the cameras, he simply puffed out his cheeks as if wondering if what had just happened was real. In fact, at the Bernabeu, things that seem impossible sometimes become commonplace.

And on this Champions League night, Federico Valverde is the one who wrote that story.

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Source: https://znews.vn/45-phut-khong-tuong-cua-valverde-post1634230.html