Real Sociedad 1-2 PSG (1-4 agg): Player ratings as Mbappe double seals quarter-final spot

  • PSG secured a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals
  • Mbappe netted either side of half-time to secure a dominant victory
  • Luis Enrique's tactical switch helped inspire the victory
Mbappe was excellent
Mbappe was excellent / Xavier Laine/GettyImages
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Kylian Mbappe netted twice as Paris Saint-Germain breezed through to the Champions League quarter-finals at Real Sociedad's expense.

The Parisians won 2-0 in the first leg and picked up a 2-1 victory this time around with a throughly impressive performance.

Mbappe struck the game into life with a glorious opener and extinguished any hope of a comeback with a composed finish early in the second half, with Mikel Merino's late effort little more than a consolation.


How the game unfolded

Bardley Barcola was denied from point-blank range ten minutes in after Mbappe breezed away from his defender and fizzed a cut-back across the box. Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro didn't appear to know a whole lot about the save.

Five minutes later, Mbappe went alone. Dancing his way around two defenders, the Frenchman crashed a glorious effort into the bottom corner, striking with so much force that it actually broke the net and led to a lengthy stoppage while the repairs were made.

Lucas Beraldo was soon called on to make a sensational block to deny Sheraldo Becker, although the tension was ended abruptly as play was called back for an earlier foul.

Mbappe nearly had a second on the half-hour mark. This time, he collected Barcola's cut-back but his low strike was well kept out by the Sociedad stopper.

The hosts had the odd moment of quality on the ball in the first half but found PSG's high press almost impossible to play through. Takefusa Kubo sent a long-range effort flying wide of Gianluigi Donnarumma's post as the clock ticked over into stoppage time.

Mbappe added his second ten minutes after the break. Lee Kang-in's long ball sent the Frenchman flying through on goal and he made no mistake, drilling into Remiro's bottom corner.

Ander Barrenetxea did find the back of the net on the hour mark but the offside flag was quickly raised and VAR confirmed the call.

The disallowed goal did inject more life to Sociedad's attack and, after several poor strikes from range, the hosts nearly pulled one back with ten minutes to go. Donnarumma made an excellent reaction save to deny Benat Turrientes from six yards out.

Sociedad kept coming and eventually got their consolation goal as Merino poked home in the dying embers.


PSG player ratings (4-3-1-2)

Ousmane Dembele
Dembele was excellent / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma - 6/10 - Thoroughly unconvincing with his feet but redeemed himself with a great stop on Turrientes late on.

RB: Achraf Hakimi - 7/10 - Was key to PSG's high pressing but picked up a needless yellow card which will see him suspended for the first leg of the quarter-final.

CB: Lucas Beraldo - 8/10 - Some excellent blocks to go alongside a composed showing in possession. A really good game from the youngster.

CB: Lucas Hernandez - 6/10 - Didn't need to do anything spectacular but simply did his job. Not always convincing in duels but hardly got much wrong.

LB: Nuno Mendes - 7/10 - Kept Kubo quiet at the back and did what he could to make an impact in attack as well.

CM: Vitinha - 9/10 - Controlled the midfield battle with ease. Whether he needed to defend or attack, Vitinha gave his all and really caught the eye.

CM: Warren Zaire-Emery - 7/10 - His energy was key to PSG's press. Spent plenty of time almost as a striker as he hounded Sociedad at every opportunity.

CM: Fabian Ruiz - 7/10 - Kept things very simple. Recovered possession very reliably and was always looking to drop the ball off to a creative teammate.

AM: Ousmane Dembele - 8/10 - Given the freedom to roam all around the pitch, Dembele duly obliged. The Frenchman was involved in a lot of PSG's brightest moments and even did a little tracking back.

ST: Bradley Barcola - 6/10 - Played with speed and enthusiasm but didn't make as much of an impact as those around him. Hooked at the break.

ST: Kylian Mbappe - 9/10 - Stood up when his team needed him and produced the moment of quality yet again. A delightful goal to set the tone for this game and a lovely second after the break.


Substitutes

SUB: Lee Kang-in (46' for Barcola) - 7/10

SUB: Nordi Mukiele (62' for Mendes) - 6/10

SUB: Manuel Ugarte (77' for Fabian) - 6/10

SUB: Randal Kolo Muani (82' for Dembele) - N/A

SUB: Carlos Soler (82' for Hakimi) - N/A

Subs not used: Keylor Navas (GK), Arnau Tenas (GK), Marquinhos, Joane Gadou, Danilo Pereira, Senny Mayulu, Goncalo Ramos


Manager

Luis Enrique - 9/10 - The new formation was key to subduing Sociedad's threat, but that was only the start of it. Enrique's message clearly got through to his players, who were utterly sensational throughout. Even Lee made an immediate impact off the bench.


Player of the match - Kylian Mbappe (PSG)