Federico Valverde's sensational hattrick against Manchester City helped Real Madrid put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals, but his words after the game may prove more crucial still.

Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold said his team surprised a lot of people who expected them to get "battered" by beating Manchester City 3-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Los Blancos were missing several key players including Kylian Mbappe but Uruguayan midfielder Valverde's stunning treble, netted inside a 22-minute spell, crushed Pep Guardiola's team at the Santiago Bernabeu.