Paris Saint Germain (PSG) attacker KylianMbappe improved his chances of winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or Award at the end of this year after his brace propelled his French team to an impressive 3-2 away win over Champions League holders Bayern Munich in the first leg of their quarterfinal tie.
Mbappe scored twice either side of the interval to take his Champions League goal tally to eight goals in eight games at an average of a goal per game.
French international Mbappe gave PSG the lead against a Bayern team missing their talisman Robert Lewandowski due to a knee injury. Mbappeshot his team into the lead on three minutes after his strike squirmed under the body of Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer when the German shot stopper could have done better.
Hosts Bayern were the better team as they created chances in addition to having the better ball possession but PSG were more clinical. Neymar had a hand in the opening goal and the Brazilian superstar added another assist for club skipper Marquinhos to double the lead for the visitors on 28 minutes. Neymar is now on 29 Champions League assists moving him to sixth on the all-time list alongside former Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta.
Cameroon striker Eric Choupo-Moting replaced Lewandowski in the Bayern line-up and he started the fightback eight minutes before the interval to give his team a 2-1 half-time scoreline. Thomas Muller then equalised for the Bavarian giants on the hour mark. Bayern went in search of a third goal but it was the visitors who regained their lead through the impressive Mbappe, a serious candidate for the FIFA Ballon d'Or Award this year.
Bayern were only level for just eight minutes before the third PSG goal from Mbappe. PSG were then able to hold on to that advantage ahead of the second leg in Paris next week.
Frenchman Mbappe has not done his FIFA Ballon d'Or chances any damage at all with his brace against the Bavarian giants. He's the second topscorer in the Champions League this season behind ErlingHaaland of Borussia Dortmund.
