Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe insists the Champions League quarter-final tie is not over despite Arsenal’s 3-0 first-leg lead.
The Gunners will take a comfortable lead into next week’s second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to a pair of stunning Declan Rice free-kicks and a goal from makeshift striker Mikel Merino.
The result leaves Real Madrid with a huge mountain to climb as they look to retain their Champions League crown and win the trophy for a 16th time.
Overturning a first leg deficit of three goals or more, whilst unlikely, is not impossible as the holders can draw on inspiration from bitter rivals Barcelona who, in 2017, beat Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 after losing the first leg 4-0 in Paris
Meanwhile, Liverpool produced a memorable comeback in 2019 as they beat Barca 4-0 at Anfield after losing the first leg 3-0 at the Camp Nou.
Taking to Instagram after the game, Mbappe has urged every single Real Madrid fan to not give up hope of reaching the Champions League semi-final.
“We have to believe until the end,” he wrote.
Upon leaving the Emirates Stadium, the Frenchman’s message was the same: “Of course we can come back,” he said, as per The Athletic.
Before Real Madrid host Arsenal in the second leg they face Alaves in LaLiga on Sunday hoping for a return to winning ways after a shock defeat at home to Valencia last week which has left them four points behind leaders Barcelona in the title race.
