Kylian Mbappé inspired Paris-Saint Germain to a 2-0 victory against Real Sociedad on Wednesday night after a drab first half.
The LaLiga team kept PSG at bay, with Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé failing to convert two close chances in the first half.
It was the brilliance of the French World Cup winner and his excellent reactions that would help Luis Enrique’s team take the lead in the 58th minute, with Mbappé stretching at the far post to take advantage of a deflection from Marquinhos on a free kick .
Bradley Barcola would follow up with a second goal later in the second half, slipping past several defenders before passing to Alex Remiro to seal the victory and score his first Champions League goal.
Mail Sport brings you our players’ evaluations of PSG’s victory at the Parc des Princes.
Kylian Mbappé inspired Paris-Saint Germain to a 2-0 lead against Real Sociedad on Wednesday
Bradley Barcola followed with the second, his first goal in the Champions League.
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6
He was called into action on several occasions but in the end it was a quiet evening for the Italian.
Achraf Hakimi – 6.5
Defenders stretched out on the right flank, perhaps not as creative in the first half as they would have liked.
Marquinhos – 7
It was his movement that prepared Mbappé for the opening. He organized the defense well tonight.
Danilo Pereira – 7
He looks like a solid partner for Marquinhos at the back.
Lucas Beraldo – 6.5
A solid Champions League debut for the 20-year-old. He looked composed on the ball and his positioning was excellent.
Fabian Ruiz – 7
He produced a great assist for Barcola’s goal. He seemed creative until the middle.
Warren Zaire-Emery – 6.5
Strong defensively. Maybe they could have offered more in the future.
Gianluigi Donnarumma had to intervene in some moments of the match, but he had a quiet night.
Achraf Hakimi Stretched defenders on the right flank, but could have provided more creativity
Warren Zaire-Emery looked strong defensively in midfield and controlled the game well.
Vitina – 7
He grew in the game in the second half. He produced some great passes and was technically excellent.
Ousmane Dembele – 5.5
He made a great pass to start Barcola’s goal. But he lacked a clinical edge in front of goal and wasted a great opportunity in the first half.
Bradley Barcola – 7.5
He scored his first goal in the Champions League and took it very well. He slipped between defenders to break into the area and finished the play with a great shot.
Kylian Mbappé – 8
He stepped up when PSG needed him despite missing an opportunity early in the first half. The Frenchman demonstrated his excellent reactions to reach the far post before anyone else.
Substitutes and coach
Marco Asensio 72′ – 6
He looked brilliant when he came on but could have made it 3-0 with a great effort in the final five minutes of the game.
Ousmane Dembélé struggled to score and failed to convert a close opportunity in the first half.
Luis Enrique galvanized his players at half-time, but he will have to think a little before the second leg.
Lucas Hernandez 72′ – 5
He struggled to control Takefusa Kubo after entering.
Randal Kolo Muani 83′ – 5.5
He arrived late and was about to score. He showed great ability to evade the Real Sociedad defenders, but his shot went slightly wide.
Luis Enrique – 7
It definitely wasn’t the first half he would have wanted, but he galvanized his team at half-time to seal the victory. He will have a lot to think about before the return match in March.
Ratings of Real Sociedad players
Real Sociedad: Remiro 6, Traore 6, Zubeldia 7, Le Normand 5, Galán 7, Méndez 7, Zubimendi 8, Merino 7, Kubo 8, André Silva 7, Barrenetxea 7.
Substitutes: Zakharyan 66′ 6, Pacheco 78′ 6, Sadiq 78′ 6, Turrientes 78′ 6, Aramburu 5′.