The Meaning of Mbappe’s First Goal in the Champions League for Real Madrid

Jakarta, Todaysgist.com – Kylian Mbappe restarted his European bid by scoring for Real Madrid in his first Champions League game with the club. In the match held at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Tuesday (17/9/2024) local time, Real Madrid won 3-1 over Stuttgart.

Mbappe managed to find the gap in the goal after receiving a cross from Rodrygo a few seconds after the second half started.

“It was a great night. It was a difficult game, but it was important to start the Champions League with a win at home,” Mbappe was quoted as saying by AP.

Mbappe celebrated his goal by blowing out candles and sending kisses. Spanish media reported it was a tribute to his mother’s 50th birthday.

The goal gave defending champions Madrid a 1-0 lead before Stuttgart equalised through Deniz Undav in the 68th minute. Antonio Rüdiger restored Madrid’s lead in the 83rd minute, and substitute Endrick rounded off the scoring to seal victory for the defending champions.

The goal was Mbappe’s 49th in the Champions League, moving him into the top 10 of all-time scorers in the competition. He has scored in three consecutive games and has a total of five goals in seven games for Madrid in all competitions so far.

“I can do more,” Mbappe said. “I feel like I’m getting better from game to game,” he added.

Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was named man of the match for his crucial role in keeping Stuttgart from capitalising on their numerous scoring chances.

Mbappé was largely unseen until he finally scored. One of his best chances came in the 25th minute when he burst into the penalty area and saw his low shot saved. He had another chance a few minutes later, but Federico Valverde’s low pass to the French star was cleared off the line by a defender. Madrid struggled to create chances early on at the Bernabeu, with Stuttgart the more threatening.

Never Won the Champions League
Mbappe won the 2018 World Cup with France but has failed to win the Champions League in seven seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, who are also seeking their first title in Europe’s top club competition.

Mbappe left PSG as a free agent at the end of last season to join Madrid, a move that could boost his chances of lifting European silverware with a team that has won the Champions League six times in the last 11 years.

Mbappe reached the semi-finals of the club competition in 2017 with Monaco, and was a finalist in 2020 with PSG. He also reached the semi-finals with PSG in 2021 and last season.