And in the end, it's Mbappé who scores

It's a big sigh of relief for Paris SG, long held in check by the Madrid defense, like the penalty missed by Lionel Messi (61st): Mbappé, scorer in additional time (90th + 4) offered the Parisians a deserved advantage at the end of the first leg, which will have to be confirmed in the return match on March 9 in Spain.

As we headed for a sad goalless draw, Mbappé emerged with a final jerk and a finally victorious cross shot against goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, hitherto impassable.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé scores the only goal of the match against Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in their Champions League round of 16 first leg on February 15, 2022 at the Parc des Princes Alain JOCARD AFP

It's deserved for the Parisians, who have been very inconsistent this season but who have finally shown the conquering face we expected of them, that of a contender for the European title.

We were hoping for an exciting poster, it was tense and Paris did not really know what to do with the ball it confiscated, apart from relying on the flashes of the inevitable Mbappé.

The excesses of "Kyky" made the Parisian public vibrate and shudder the merengue defense, like Dani Carvajal, regularly exceeded.

But in the last gesture, the world champion was not inspired: low center wasted by Angel Di Maria (5th), face-to-face lost with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after an opening from Messi (18th) ...

Real Madrid Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saves his goal against Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé in their Champions League round of 16 first leg on February 15, 2022 at the Parc des Princes Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT AFP

The Bondy striker, at the end of his contract and coveted by Real for next season, certainly obtained a penalty by putting Carvajal to death.

But Courtois stopped Messi's attempt (61st).

And what about the Belgian goalkeeper's headline on Mbappé's pivot shot (50th), or his multiple decisive stops (53rd, 56th, 90th + 3)?

Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saves the penalty shot by Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian striker Lionel Messi in their Champions League round of 16 first leg on February 15, 2022 at the Parc des Princes FRANCK FIFE AFP

Real, for its part, did not exist offensively, with a timid return to competition for Karim Benzema, weaned from balls after three weeks of absence due to injury.

Even the entry into play of Neymar, also back from injury, did not seem to be able to settle things … just in the flash of Mbappé, king of the end of matches, as often in L1 this season.

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian striker Neymar sees his shot deflected by Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during their Champions League round of 16 first leg match on February 15, 2022 at the Parc des Princes Alain JOCARD AFP

It remains to be confirmed on the return to the Santiago-Bernabeu stadium, who dreams of cheering "Kyky" in the white jersey next season.

But for now, it's the Parisian jersey that Mbappé wears, and the dreams of PSG with it.

City walks against Sporting

Walk of health for Manchester City: the team of Pep Guardiola did not make a detail in Lisbon on the ground of Sporting Portugal, powerless in the face of the opposing surges and the double of Bernardo Silva.

The Portuguese attacking midfielder, formerly of rival club Benfica, struck with a powerful half-volley entered with the help of the bar (17th) then a deflected shot between the legs of a defender (44th).

And he could have increased the score with a header (50th) if his goal had not been canceled for offside.

The joy of Manchester City's Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva, congratulated by his teammates, after scoring the 4th goal against Sporting Portugal, in their Champions League round of 16 first leg, on February 15, 2022 in Lisbon PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA AFP

Party postponed for the Citizens: their festival had started with a flat foot from Riyad Mahrez (7th) before continuing with a goal from Phil Foden served six meters after a series of defensive blunders (32nd), then a clear strike from Raheem Sterling in the top corner (59th).

It is cruel for the defense of Sporting, which had already taken five against Ajax Amsterdam in the group stage (5-1).

The joy of Manchester City midfielder Raheem Sterling (2nd d), and his teammates, after scoring the 5th goal against Sporting Portugal, during their round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, on February 15, 2022 in Lisbon CARLOS COSTA AFP

Here is City very close to joining the quarters of the C1 for the fifth consecutive year, provided that they negotiate without fear a return match which looks a priori like a formality in Manchester.

Largely at the head of the Premier League, Guardiola and his family will have plenty of time to project themselves on the future, with the dream of experiencing a second final in a row and, this time, winning.

© 2022 AFP