Television audience puzzled by disappearing Jeremy Doku at the Bernabeu 

The Manchester City attack was non existent at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, but it was another disappearing act that had people talking after the match. Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3-0 in the opening leg of the round of 16, but a glitch in the matrix set the social media world ablaze during another wild European night from the Spanish capital.

Madrid’s magical defense

Strange things happen in Madrid on Champions League nights, and last night was just another notch under Los Blancos belt. There weren’t a whole lot of people counting on Madrid to beat City even though they were in the comfort of their home. Battered by injury, slipping up in the league, and a roller coaster of a campaign had dwindled the publics perception for a win at the Bernabeu.

A first half hat trick from Fede Valverde, and defensive masterpiece by Alvaro Arbeloa’s men was enough to not just win the match but win convincingly enough to leave little chance for Pep Guardiola’s men to mount a come back next week at the Etihad.

While the Madrid captain stole the headlines with his first hat trick in a Real Madrid shirt, it was the defensive discipline that prevailed in the second half when City were trying to score at least a goal to give themselves a little hope in the return leg. Madrid’s defense was suffocating, and even made one City player “disappear” for a moment.

The clip has gone viral on social media after Jeremey Doku was seen vanishing for a split second on the television broadcast that was seen across the world. It happened late in the match as Madrid was protecting a three goal lead. Doku dribbles into the far corner at the Bernabeu, turns to where he is facing hat trick hero, Fede Valverde, and inexplicably disappears for a split second.

Nightmare week for English clubs

No one has quite been able to explain the strange anomaly, but the internet jokers and conspiracy theorists have already lining up to take a stab at what happened at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night. Some claim it was a glitch in the matrix, while others laughed it off, claiming Doku “was doing an impression of a Tottenham defender.”

It was a disastrous week not only for Manchester City, but for all English teams left in the competition. Of the six Premier League sides left in the Round of 16, none of them won the first leg, two of them produced draws and four lost. Liverpool lost to Galatasaray 1-0 but Chelsea, Tottenham and City were all pummeled by three goals.

Related stories

FC Barcelona

“Madrid won’t be able to sign Haaland, but we will”

Finalissima

The Finalissima points to the Bernabéu

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.