Kylian Mbappe once again demonstrated his penchant for the big stage as his deadly brace helped fire Paris Saint-Germain into the UEFA Champions League quarter finals thanks to a 2-1 victory at Real Sociedad.
Mbappe was lively from the kick off, showing explosive pace to tee up an early chance for Bradley Barcola before silencing the Reale Arena crowd in San Sebastian with a magnificent solo effort on 15 minutes.
The 25-year-old hitman, who looks poised to join Real Madrid in the summer, added a second on 56 minutes when he raced free down the left before beating Alex Remiro with a smart near-post finish.
La Real showed belated spirit with the tie dead and pulled one back through Mikel Merino, but PSG stood firm as part of an excellent all-round performance to cruise into the last eight for the first time since 2021.
Talking Point – Saving Mbappe for the UEFA Champions League may be a masterstroke
Luis Enrique has created great debate in recent weeks as he has made it clear PSG need to learn to play without Mbappe following his decision to leave the club in the summer. The Spanish coach has substituted the forward early in two Ligue 1 matches since the news was made public – but it was perhaps not surprising that the 25-year-old played the whole of the second leg in this competition.
Mbappe is clearly vital to Les Parisiens’ hopes of going deep in the UEFA Champions League and his record on this stage is befitting a player regarded by many as the best on the planet now.
There’s no escaping the fact Mbappe was the major force in ensuring his current club put aside their last-16 travails of previous years and, while most teams won’t fear drawing PSG next, the X-factor Mbappe brings makes them a threat you simply can’t afford to underestimate and perhaps prioritising his minutes in Europe may yet prove to be a bit of genius from Enrique. Time will tell.
Player of the match
Kylian Mbappe (PSG). The forward was a cut above everyone else on the pitch as he made it 46 goals and 26 assists in just 68 UCL games. Even if PSG restrict his minutes on the domestic scene, it’s obvious he has a burgeoning love affair with this competition and he looks to be on a mission to try and sign off his PSG career in glorious style.
Player Ratings
REAL SOCIEDAD: Remiro 8, Traore 7, Zubeldia 7, Le Normand 7, Galan 7, Mendez 6, Zubimendi 7, Merino 6, Becker 6, Kubo 7, Oyarzabal 6. Subs: Barrenetxea 6, Benat 7, Pacheco 6, Silva 6, Olasagasti n/a.
PSG: Donnarumma 7, Hakimi 8, Beraldo 7, Hernandez 7, Mendes 7, Zaire-Emery 7, Vitinha 7, Fabian Ruiz 7, Dembele 8, Mbappe 9, Barcola 7. Subs: Lee Kang-In 6, Mukiele 6, Ugarte 6, Kolo Muani n/a, Soler n/a.
Match Highlights
10’ – PSG CHANCE! Mbappe turns on the after burners to surge to the left byline and ping a low cross for Barcola who has a first-time shot from close-range brilliantly saved by Álex Remiro.
15’ – GOAL! – Real Sociedad 0-1 PSG: (Mbappe). Mbappe surges into the box in the inside left channel. He darts in from the byline, fakes a shot and then manufactures space and a better angle to curl a low shot into the far corner – (PSG lead 3-0 on aggregate).
30’ – PSG CHANCE! Remiro shows great reactions to stretch out his left boot and jab away Mbappe’s goal-bound effort from Barcola’s right-wing cut back.
56’ – GOAL! – Real Sociedad 0-2 PSG: (Mbappe). It’s Kylian at the double! The striker is set sprinting free down the left and he makes no mistake as he charges into the box and fools the keeper with a clever near-post finish – (PSG lead 4-0 on aggregate).
89’ – GOAL! – Real Sociedad 1-2 PSG: (Merino). The hosts pull one back as Merino lashes in the rebound after Donnarumma had parried a fizzed cross from the right into his path – (PSG lead 4-1 on aggregate).
Key Stat
