Mbappe’s solo special shows why Real are hot on his trail
THE suffocating air of nights like these can choke even extraordinary players. Very few have the skill and force of will to keep hold of the strings.
Take a bow, Kylian Mbappe. There have been so many crowning glories in his young career. This has to sit near the top.
Ever since UEFA’s dodgy computer coughed up a mouthwatering clash, the spotlight has burned bright. Before Mbappe, 23, treads the well-worn path between new money and old, this was his night to dazzle employers present — and future.
For 93 minutes, Mbappe rose above the noise, above a sea of superstars, to shine. But for 93 minutes, Real Madrid held firm.
Dani Carvajal did his best to keep Mbappe at bay before the defender eventually hauled the Frenchman down inside the area, only for Lionel Messi to fluff his lines from the spot.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did his best too, denying Messi from 12 yards amid a string of crucial saves at the Parc des Princes.
But despite Messi’s miss, even Madrid’s old nemesis could not deny their next hero.
And so, in the final flash of this first leg, Mbappe skipped between Eder Militao and Lucas Vazquez and then, with the slightest deflection, slid a shot between Courtois’ legs.
The roar of celebration suggested his heart remains in Paris. For now. On this evidence, though, Madrid can’t lose — even if they succumb in the second leg. If, as seems inevitable, Mbappe crosses this divide in the summer, Carlo Ancelotti’s side can look forward to years of his genius. If Paris Saint-Germain are to finally achieve their European dreams this season, he will surely lead the way. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma said of Mbappe: ‘Mamma mia. He’s an alien! He’s incredible. It’s a show with Kylian, on and off the pitch.’ It’s advantage Mauricio Pochettino’s team right now. But for how long? Wherever Real looked last night there were familiar faces and former foes. But this was all about a symbol of their future and his brilliant tussle with Carvajal. Carvajal was turned inside out when Mbappe created the night’s first chance for Angel di Maria. The Madrid right back responded with a brilliant recovery tackle. Whenever called upon, Courtois stood tall, too. He made another save from Mbappe’s flashed shot after the restart, and then he got down to his left to keep out Messi’s penalty. ‘I tried to play with him when I was on the line,’ Courtois said. ‘You need a little bit of luck, too.’ And until the death, Madrid did. Messi, Idrissa Gueye, Neymar and Mbappe all went close before the Frenchman earned his own feather of good fortune.