Berlin, 12 March 2026 (dpa/MIA) - Federico Valverde scored a hat-trick to lead Real Madrid to a dominant 3-0 win against Manchester City on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

In France, title holders Paris Saint-Germain lost the lead twice but prevailed in a 5-2 win against Chelsea, with substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scoring a decisive brace late in the game.

Norway's surprise packages Bodø/Glimt will also take a big advantage into the second leg next week after a 3-0 win against Sporting. Earlier, Kai Havertz scored a late penalty to rescue a 1-1 draw for Arsenal against Bayer Leverkusen.

Valverde's gala evening in Madrid

Real Madrid took the lead in the 20th minute as Thibaut Courtois played a defence-splitting pass to Valverde, who controlled it before nudging past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and finding the net from a tight angle.

Seven minutes later, he collected a pass from Vinicius Junior that deflected on the defender to add a second to his name.

Valverde crowned his performance with a hat-trick, stretching his leg to reach Brahim Díaz's pass to dribble the defender and volley the ball into the net.

Madrid could have increased their advantage when they were awarded a penalty after Vinicius Jr was fouled by Donnarumma, but the goalkeeper saved the Brazilian's spot-kick.

"Incredible, you always dream of nights like this. Thanks to my team-mates who give me the confidence I need to stay positive, to the coaching staff, and to everyone who supports us even though it's been a tough season," Valverde told Movistar.

PSG have last word against Chelsea

Bradley Barcola's opener for PSG in the 10th was cancelled out by Malo Gusto's equalizer in the 28th.

Goalkeeper Matvei Safonov denied Cole Palmer's effort and the ball was recovered by PSG, with Ousmane Dembele completing the fulminant counterattack to give the lead back to the title holders.

Chelsea hit back again, this time with Enzo Fernandez to make it 2-2, but PSG had the last word in the final minutes of the match.

Goalkeeper Filip Jørgensen's sloppy pass was intercepted by PSG just outside the box and Vitinha finished the job in the 74th before substitute Kvaratskhelia practically put the game to bed in the 86th.

Kvaratskhelia, however, still had time to complete a brace in stoppage time.

"I think we showed today we are capable of everything. We just have to continue like this. We conceded two goals and we can see the mistakes we made, but we are happy with a three-goal victory," the forward said.

Bodø/Glimt excellent form continues

Norwegian underdogs Bodø/Glimt will also take a big advantage into the second leg next week after a 3-0 win against Sporting.

Sondre Brunstad Fet broke the deadlock from the spot in the 32nd, Ole Didrik Blomberg added a second before the break and Kasper Høgh completed the win in the 71st.

Bodø/Glimt have won their last five Champions League matches, beating Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan twice and now Sporting to become the first Norwegian team to win five successive matches in the competition.

Arsenal remain unbeaten

Arsenal remained unbeaten in the Champions League as Havertz scored a late penalty against his former club Leverkusen to rescue a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their last 16 tie.

Leverkusen thought they would hand Arsenal their first Champions League defeat this season when Robert Andrich broke the deadlock in the 46th minute.

It looked like the hosts would take the advantage for the second leg, but the Gunners were awarded a controversial penalty after Noni Madueke fell inside the box in a dispute with Malik Tillman.

Havertz took charge of the spot-kick and scored the equalizer in the 89th.

Photo: EPA