Only one player has ever scored 50 Champions League goals faster than Kylian Mbappe, with the Real Madrid superstar reaching the half century mark with a first half strike against Atalanta.
50 Up For Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has come under scrutiny during the start of his career in Spain but on Tuesday night he looked back to his very best when putting Real Madrid ahead against Atalanta.
Mbappe picked up the ball on the edge off Atalanta’s box and with a sharp touch on the half turn he beat his man and rifled a shot into the bottom corner to give Madrid an early lead.
His goal in the 10th minute was Mbappe’s 50th goal in the Champions League and his second for Madrid in the competition.
The touch and finish 😮💨
Kylian Mbappé secures his 50th #UCL goal 🌟
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/upFb0xuzHH
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 10, 2024
Of Mbappe’s other 48 Champions League goals, 42 came with PSG while the first six were scored for Monaco.
Only one other player has ever got to 50 Champions League goals quicker than Mbappe (79 games) has and the Frenchman is in elite company, with Lionel Messi (66 games) holding the record.
Mbappe’s 50th goal came at a vital time for Madrid, with the Spanish giants sitting uncharacteristically low in the group stage table at risk of being eliminated before the knockouts.
A win could push Madrid up to the top 15 in the table, but a loss or draw could be detrimental to their progress with just two games left.
Every Kylian Mbappe Champions League Goal
Mbappe injury Scare
After scoring early against Atalanta, Real Madrid looked good, but things changed fast in the first half when Mbappe was forced off the pitch with an injury.
The 25-year-old limped across to the sideline in the 36th minute to be replaced by Rodrygo, who has a vert good record in the Champions League himself.
Although it is still too early to tell exactly what forced Mbappe off the field in the first half, initial reports suggest a muscle injury after the forward pulled up lame with nobody near him when attempting a run in behind.
Without Mbappe Madrid already look a lot less threatening than in the opening half an hour and they will be hoping their new superstar isn’t sidelined for too long after finding his feet in recent performances.
Atalanta made their pressure count after a deflated Madrid side lost Mbappe and they capitalised on their chances just before half time as Charles De Ketelaere equalised from the penalty spot.
