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There comes a time when superstar players have to step up and deliver for their team.
Paris St-Germain (PSG) forward Kylian Mbappé may already be considered one of the best players in the world with a World Cup and five Ligue 1 trophies under his belt.
But the Frenchman has yet to help his home city club win the trophy that has always eluded them - the Champions League.
On Tuesday the 25-year-old scored twice as PSG beat five-time champions Barcelona 6-4 on aggregate to reach the semifinal of Europe’s top competition, where they will face Borussia Dortmund.
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The first was a penalty, calmly smacked home after João Cancelo brought down Ousmane Dembélé, before the ball came to him on the edge of the area in the 89th minute.
Mbappé’s first effort was denied by goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen but he smashed the rebound into the net to round off a superb night for PSG.
Said Mbappé.
Mbappé’s brace against Barcelona took his goal tally to eight in 10 Champions League games this season.
In our veins ????
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) April 16, 2024
Headed to the semi-finals! ?????? pic.twitter.com/N3xZf7OYKo
The French star striker was kept quiet in the first leg in Paris and did not dazzle in Barcelona until scoring on 61 minutes, but PSG coach Luis Enrique praised his striker for his control in the game.
Said Enrique:
PSG fans have been waiting for Mbappé to deliver them a much-anticipated and expected Champions League trophy.
While PSG are on track to win a third successive Ligue 1 title and have now reached the last four in Europe, it has not all been plain sailing for Mbappé. This is set to be his last season at his hometown club with a move to Spanish giants Real set for this summer.
Subsequently, Mbappé has dropped in and out of the team, either substituted on or off in five of PSG’s past six league matches. Despite that, he has still managed to score 41 goals in 42 games in all competitions.
PSG owners, Qatar Sports Investments, have made no secret of their main goal of winning Europe’s elite competition, despite the Paris club winning nine Ligue 1 titles since the 2011 takeover.
Since then there have been disappointing last-16 exits and questions over whether this PSG side are truly capable of challenging Europe’s elite. But Mbappé and his team-mates are now just two wins away from a fairytale end to his PSG career.
