PSG striker Kylian Mbappe scores in 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in Round-of-16 first leg; believes two-goal advantage will prove crucial during away leg in Spain
Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring against Real Sociedad at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris. Pic/AFP
Kylian Mbappe scored the opener as Paris Saint-Germain took a big step towards reaching the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Last 16 tie on Wednesday.
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The mediocrity of PSG’s first-half performance at the Parc des Princes may have had their supporters fearing another in a long line of disappointing results down the years in the Champions League knockout stages.
But Mbappe, who is expected to leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires, broke the deadlock from close range just before the hour mark.
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Barcola nets too
Bradley Barcola’s well-taken goal in the 70th minute then made it 2-0 to give the French champions a comfortable cushion to take to Spain for the return early next month.
“We managed to score at key moments. We are happy with this first step. There is still a lot of work to do, but it is good to be going there with the advantage,” Mbappe told broadcaster Canal Plus.
Captain Marquinhos added: “We were in great difficulty in the first half but we knew that would be the case. The coach gave us an earbashing at half-time and I think that helped because the attitude was much better in the second half.
“We know how important it is to win at home, but it is not finished. We need to keep the same mindset between now and then, keep playing well in the league and then go there and play well to secure our qualification.”
Crucial stage for PSG
There was big pressure on PSG coming into this tie after they had gone out in the last 16 of the Champions League in five of the last seven seasons.
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