Paris Saint-Germain‘s Kylian Mbappe stole the show, scoring twice to secure their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a convincing 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad in the second leg of the last-16 tie, sealing a 4-1 aggregate win on Tuesday.
Eager to claim their maiden Champions League title, PSG displayed discipline and capitalized on their counter-attacking opportunities, with Mbappe’s blistering pace posing a constant threat.
Real Sociedad, plagued by injuries and struggling with form, couldn’t match PSG’s vigor, particularly after an impressive group stage performance where PSG topped Group D undefeated, ahead of last season’s finalists Inter Milan.
Mbappe, in exceptional form, showcased his speed and agility, proving unstoppable for the hosts’ defense. His two goals on Tuesday marked his 11th out of PSG’s last 15 Champions League knockout goals.
Reflecting on the match, Mbappe acknowledged the importance of seizing the initiative early on to quell Real Sociedad’s hopes, stating, “We knew right away that we couldn’t go to sleep. If they had opened the scoring, they would have pushed on with their fans’ backing.”
Mbappe’s first goal, a magnificent curling strike in the 15th minute, set the tone for PSG’s dominance. He followed it up with another clinical finish in the 56th minute, capitalizing on a precise through ball from Lee Kang-in.
Despite a late consolation goal from Mikel Merino in the 89th minute, Real Sociedad’s efforts were in vain as PSG comfortably booked their spot in the quarter-finals for the first time in three years.
