Real Madrid legend defeats Man City, sets unprecedented record in Europe

Courtois becoming the focal point on a Champions League night is no stranger, but in the match against Man City early morning on March 12, Real Madrid's goalkeeper created an unforgettable historic milestone in his career and the tournament.

Thibaut Courtois once again turns the night Champions League into his own stage, but this time not through saves.

Early morning March 12 (Vietnam time), the Belgian goalkeeper launched a precise long pass from his own half allowing Federico Valverde to break away and open the scoring, paving the way for a 3-0 victory by Real Madrid against Manchester City in the first leg of the round of 16. That play not only helped the Spanish Royal club secure a step into the quarter-finals, but also etched Courtois into tournament history.

According to AS, the pass leading to Valverde's goal was Courtois's second assist in this Champions League season, making him the first goalkeeper to have two or more assists in a single season of Europe's most prestigious competition.

Previously, Courtois had set up a goal for Kylian Mbappe in Real Madrid's 5-0 win over Kairat Almaty back in late September 2025. Real Madrid's official website confirmed that Courtois's initiating pass created Mbappe's second goal in that match.

Looking broader, this is Courtois's third assist in the Champions League. The Belgian goalkeeper once assisted for Chelsea in a match against Qarabag in 2017, before replicating that feat in Real Madrid's colors this season.

Notably, Courtois's goal-creating passes are not random products. They reflect an increasingly clear quality in the 33-year-old goalkeeper: the ability to read situations and initiate attacks with highly accurate long balls.

The match against Man City itself also demonstrated Courtois's comprehensive value within Real Madrid's system. Reuters reported that Pep Guardiola's team started well at Bernabeu, but Real's sharp transition ability created the difference.

From a lightning-fast buildup following Courtois's kick-out, Valverde surged forward, bypassed Gianluigi Donnarumma, and put the ball into the net. Later, the Uruguayan midfielder completed a hat-trick within the first half, helping Real win decisively 3-0 and seize a huge advantage ahead of the return leg.

For many years, Courtois has been accustomed to being mentioned as the guardian of big nights. He was the hero in the 2022 Champions League final, Real's primary barrier in the most critical moments.

But this time, Courtois achieved something even rarer, deciding the match with his feet. And on a stage where every detail can create history, the Belgian goalkeeper has just written an unprecedented milestone.