Inimitable Kylian Mbappe torments ‘future employer’ Real Madrid


Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 10:54 PM• Dominic Mostert • Last update: 22:59

Paris Saint-Germain took a first step towards the quarterfinals of the Champions League on Tuesday evening. The match against Real Madrid seemed to end in 0-0 after a missed penalty by Lionel Messi, but a flashy Kylian Mbappe made the redemption in minute 94: 1-0. It was a special moment for the attacker, who is expected to play in Madrid next season. The victory was hard-fought, but well deserved given the dominance in the field. The return will take place in the Santiago Bernabéu in three weeks.

Mauricio Pochettino resisted the temptation to give Neymar a starting spot immediately after his return. The attacker is fully back in training after a two-and-a-half-month absence due to an ankle injury, but started on the bench as expected. Sergio Ramos and Ander Herrera were not there due to injuries; Georginio Wijnaldum sat on the couch. Karim Benzema was available again at Real Madrid: the star player missed the last three official games of his club due to a muscle injury. Left back Ferland Mendy also had a starting spot after an absence due to injuries.

PSG dominated in the first half; Real’s battle plan seemed to keep a clean sheet and watch for a breakout with the speedy Vinicius Junior on the left. Little came of the latter, but we managed to keep zero. PSG missed a few opportunities to open the scoring. Kylian Mbappé cut out Dani Carvajal in the fifth minute and found Ángel Di María, who shot over from a promising position. After seventeen minutes, Mbappé himself had a good opportunity. He was launched by a long ball from Nuno Mendes and surfaced in front of Thibaut Courtois, who saved the shot.

PSG had a clear predominance of ball possession, but were not careful enough in the finish. The same game pattern was repeated in the second half. Five minutes after the break, Mbappé was reached in the narrow space by Carvajal, before testing Courtois with a hard, low shot. The biggest award for the keeper came after an hour. Carvajal misjudged the fast Mbappe and knocked him down, after which a penalty kick followed. Messi searched the right corner, but Courtois guessed his intentions.

In the remainder of the game, Real seemed to stay on their feet. Dangerous attacks from PSG came down the right flank, but the cross never reached its destination. The redemption came in the fourth minute. Neymar served Mbappe with a heel, after which the latter slalomed his way through the defense of Real and decided the game.