Real Sociedad 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain: Kylian Mbappe's double sees PSG cruise into the Champions League quarter-finals
Paris Saint-Germain's KylianMbappe scored twice to lead them into the Champions League quarter-finals with a comfortable 2-1 win away to Real Sociedad in their last-16 second leg, completing a 4-1 aggregate victory on Tuesday.
In their quest for their first Champions League title, a disciplined PSG capitalised on counter-attack opportunities, with the lightning-fast Mbappe posing a constant threat.
After a remarkable group stage in which they went unbeaten and finished ahead of last year's finalists Inter Milan in Group D, LaLiga side Real Sociedad, who are dealing with injuries and have won only one of their last ten matches in all competitions, ran out of steam.
Mbappe was having an inspired night, and his speed and agility proved too much for the hosts' defence to handle. He was virtually unstoppable down the left channel, and with his brace on Tuesday, he has scored 11 of PSG's last 15 Champions League knockout goals.
“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 told Canal Plus.
"We had to dampen their hopes early on. That’s what we did, and we’re very happy to be back in the quarter-finals.”
Mbappe had a couple of early chances before scoring the opening goal with a fantastic curling strike in the 15th minute.
After receiving a long pass from Ousmane Dembele, he charged into the box, darting in from the byline and pretending to shoot before shifting the ball out of his feet and creating just enough space to fire a curling shot into the far corner.
The goal silenced a sold-out Reale Arena, which appeared stunned by the France captain's vision and technique. A similar effort was later denied by keeper Alex Remiro.
However, Mbappe scored again in the 56th minute, taking a Lee Kang-in through ball and bursting into the box to beat the goalkeeper at his near post.
PSG appeared content to sit back against a tame Real Sociedad, who posed little threat for the majority of the game.
They attempted a late push but were denied by the post following a Martin Zubimendi strike and then by keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made a fine reflex save to deny Benat Turrientes from close range.
Mikel Merino scored a consolation goal in the 89th minute with a deflected strike, but it was too late to keep PSG from reaching the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in three years.
SportsLigue