Hat-trick hero Kylian Mbappé ensured Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3-1 in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday, February 19.
Mbappé’s hat-trick was wonderful, his first for Los Blancos, to quell Manchester City’s chances of going into the round of 16.
As a result, Pep Guardiola’s men were eliminated by their familiar foes once again.
However, more than Manchester City’s continuous decline, it was Mbappe’s great performance that took the spotlight yet again.
Kylian Mbappé Resurgence After Slow Start for Real Madrid
Mbappé started off a bit slow for Real Madrid, and his performances left a lot to be desired in the first half of the season.
However, as time has progressed, his performances seem to have picked up for the most successful club in the world.
He now has scored 28 goals in 38 matches for Real, which is a wonderful return even by the lofty standards that are expected from their players.
Mbappé has previously set the French Ligue 1 ablaze with his fantastic performance over the past few years, but to do it in a tougher league in Spain is something that further stamps his class.
It might be very much possible for the 26-year-old Frenchman to win his first UEFA Champions League title.
Real have done it on 15 previous occasions, which is more than twice as many times as any other club.
However, they will need Mbappe’s help if they are to win the European crown once again this year.
The title race for La Liga has also heated up and any of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid can win the title this season.
Winning a double will be rewarding even for the most successful club in the world and definitely for Mbappé, who has won the FIFA World Cup with the French national team and finished runner-up on another occasion.
He has also reached the Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain once in the past.
Real will face either Atletico or Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16 in March.
Either of the match-ups will be tough for them, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men would rather face Leverkusen and should be wanting to avoid playing their city rivals.
With a point separating the top three teams in the La Liga table, it is anybody’s title to take after 24 rounds of matches.
With 14 matches to go for each team, anything can happen from now onwards to decide the ultimate winner.
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Mbappe Has Gelled Well With his Teammates
Mbappé has learnt to combine well with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, his teammates at Real.
The fearsome front three, along with Jude Bellingham in midfield, have made Carlo Ancelotti’s team a dangerous proposition for any opposition in the world.
However, success at Real Madrid is always decided by their ability to win the ultimate thing, which is the Champions League.
The French international has already taken a significant step towards achieving it by taking Manchester City out of their way.
Now, Mbappe has to keep up the good work in the latter stages of the tournament as well to fulfil his ambition. It is certainly within his reach to achieve it.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Laci Perenyi
Recording Date: 19.02.2025