UCL: Kylian Mbappe scores twice as PSG edge Bayern Munich in five-goal thriller

A brace from Kylian Mbappe saw Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich 3-2 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinal on Wednesday. Mbappe and Marquinhos gave the Ligue 1 champions a 2-0 lead at Munich within 30 minutes. However, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting pulled one back before the break. Bayern drew level in the 60th minute thanks to a goal from Thomas Muller. But it was Mbappe who was on hand again 8 minutes later to ensure the Parisians took a slim lead into the second leg.

Defeat ends Hansi Flick’s unbeaten run as Bayern coach in this competition (W15 D1 L1)#UCL pic.twitter.com/cYMStxQp95

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 7, 2021

Bayern started the game as only Bayern do; their high line and high pressing pinned last season’s UCL runners-up back at first. Indeed, given they had 31 shots on goal they would feel hard done by at the result.

However, a lack of cutting edge – something at least partly down to missing Robert Lewandowski due to injury – was their undoing on the night.

And while Mbappe took the plaudits – and the Man of the Match trophy – he was aided by a scintillating performance from Neymar.

The Brazilian was at his creative best, pinging long balls in behind Bayern’s high line. Indeed, Mbappe’s first goal and Marquinhos’ strike in the 28th minute came from Neymar breaking the defensive line.

Yet Bayern were not going to go down without a fight. Choupo-Moting, who represented PSG last season, pulled one back with a powerful header.

The second half saw Bayern pin PSG back thanks to some high pressure up front and some incisive passing from David Alaba, playing in midfield.

One got the sense an equaliser was coming and it came when Muller flicked in a free-kick from Joshua Kimmich. Suddenly it was game on.

Or at least it was for another 8 minutes. Mbappe cut in from the left and waited for Jerome Boateng to commit to a tackle. His finish through the veteran defender’s legs was sublime to say the least.

The final 20 minutes continued at a frenetic pace but no more goals were added to the scoreline.