Kylian Mbappe leaves Erling Haaland in the shadows in battle to be world's best No 9

Telegraph

19-02-2025

At Real Madrid, the hope was for Erling Haaland to form a dream partnership with Kylian Mbappe. It was ' Operacion En Marcha ' – operation underway – on the front page of Marca from when Haaland was at Borussia Dortmund, and those hopes only ended when Manchester City agreed a nine-and-a-half-year contract with the Norwegian last month.
At the final whistle of Real's resounding victory, both players were sat on the bench, but there was a huge contrast. Haaland was an unused substitute after injury ruled him out of attempting to turn the tie in City's favour. Mbappe had scored a stunning hat-trick and left to a standing ovation. 'I want to write history with Real Madrid. The adaptation period for me has ended and now I have to show my quality,' said Mbappe afterwards.
This defeat neatly summed up the differing seasons for two of the great forwards in world football. Mbappe took his tally to 28 for the campaign, and his longest drought without finding the net has been four games. When he was going through tougher times during his 'adaptation' at the start of the season, he was pulled through by his team-mates.
Haaland's consistency of goalscoring has been the same, with his tally of 27 quite incredible considering City's results. But when he has needed his team-mates to carry him through, like he needed in this Champions League tie, they have been unable to deliver.
The first leg of the play-off against Real will be remembered for their late flurry of goals at the Etihad, turning the tie on its head. But it should not be forgotten that Haaland put in one of the best centre-forward displays of the season, pulling Real's defence in different directions, outmuscling them, and getting two goals to show for his work.
At the Bernabeu, he cut a frustrated figure on the bench. Wearing a bracelet that spoke for everyone – it read 'F--- Cancer' – he remained seated when other substitutes went to warm up in the second half. It was too much of a risk to bring him on at 4-2, 5-2 or 6-2. Pep Guardiola could not risk losing his talisman for more games.
Guardiola had given him as much time as possible to pass a fitness test after a knock against Newcastle United. Luckily for him scans are looking clear, but he is feeling discomfort. If City are to play in the Champions League next season, they will need him back playing. For a player who has missed chunks of previous seasons, it is incredible that this was the first game missed in the campaign apart from domestic cup ties.
Mbappe seized the moment – and sealed the tie – with Haaland on the bench. His goals made City look naive: lobbing Ederson when he was out of position, leaving Josko Gvardiol on his backside for the second, then punishing City for standing off to complete his hat-trick.
Kylian Mbappe was unstoppable this evening! 🔥
⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/B35mbNk1JZ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 19, 2025
'A perfect night for the team,' said Mbappe. 'When you play against Manchester City it is always a difficult game but we knew that at home we would be very strong. We played better as a group and we were able to give a lot of joy to the fans. We have to continue in this way if we are to win what we want to win this season. I want to play well here, I want to make a mark on the season.'