PARIS, FRANCE – The Parc des Princes witnessed a masterclass from Kylian Mbappe as Paris Saint-Germain cruised to a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter. The French superstar, amidst transfer rumours linking him to their opponents, silenced any doubts with a clinical goal, while young gun Bradley Barcola sealed the deal with a dazzling solo effort.

La Real started with fire, imposing a suffocating high press that frustrated the hosts and nearly yielded an early lead through Andre Silva’s header and Mikel Merino’s thunderous shot. However, PSG weathered the storm and turned the tide after the break. Mbappe, the conductor of the Parisian orchestra, orchestrated their attacks, culminating in a decisive finish just before the hour mark.

Barcola then stole the show with a dazzling solo run and finish, adding further gloss to the scoreline and highlighting PSG’s improved second-half display. Luis Enrique’s tactical adjustments during the break proved pivotal, showcasing a more clinical and dominant PSG than their earlier struggles.

This result puts PSG in a commanding position heading into the return leg in Spain. However, they face a crucial Ligue 1 clash against Nantes before the trip to San Sebastian, while La Real will look to bounce back against Mallorca in La Liga.With the transfer rumour mill swirling around Mbappe, his performance was a timely reminder of his world-class talent. Barcola’s emergence adds another exciting dimension to PSG’s attack, making them a force to be reckoned with in domestic and European competitions. The stage is set for a captivating second leg, with Sociedad needing a monumental effort to overturn this deficit and keep their Champions League dream alive.