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Category: Football

  • Governors pledge collaboration with legislature on reforms, policy implementations

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with state Houses of Assembly to advance governance reforms and ensure effective policy implementation at the sub-national level.

    The forum disclosed this in a communique signed by its chairman, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, on Thursday, after its meeting on Wednesday night.

    AbdulRazaq said the forum engaged with the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (COSLON) to discuss key issues.

    This, he said, included strengthening synergy between COSLON and the NGF and ensuring subnational perspectives were well represented in the ongoing constitutional review process.

    “COLSON also informed the forum of their partnership with Development Finance Institution to digitise the state houses of assembly.

    “This is aimed at enhancing legislative efficiency and transparency.”

    He also said the governors engaged with the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr.

    AbdulRazaq said that Mills shared his vision for a renewed and dynamic partnership between Nigeria and the U.S.

    He noted that while highlighting a shift from a donor-recipient model to one of mutual collaboration, Mills underscored the importance of fostering economic opportunities for Nigerians.

    “The ambassador outlined four key priorities that would guide U.S. engagement with Nigeria, including enhancing trade and improving the business environment to attract investments and drive economic growth.

    “Promoting transparency and accountability in governance to strengthen institutions and supporting subnational governments to bolster development at the state level.

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    Champions League Round of 16 draw: Date, start time, qualified teams, fixtures

    “Also establishing sustainable, Nigeria-led health programmes to ensure long-term impact and resilience.

    “The governors welcomed the renewed approach and emphasised the critical role of states in driving economic and social development.

    “The forum looked forward to deepening cooperation with the U.S. on those shared priorities,” AbdulRazaq stated.

    He said the forum also received a briefing from the Minister of Women Affairs on the Nigeria For Women Project (NFWP) Scale-Up, expanding nationwide from its initial six-state implementation.

    The project aimed to support women’s economic empowerment through Women Affinity Groups, livelihood grants, and capacity-building initiatives, contributing to the goal of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty. (NAN)

  • Champions League Round of 16 draw: Date, time, qualified teams, fixtures

    Champions League Round of 16 draw: Date, time, qualified teams, fixtures

    The inaugural Champions League knockout play-offs have concluded, setting the stage for the much-anticipated round of 16 draw.

    When is the Champions League Round of 16 Draw?

    The draw will take place on Friday, February 21, at 11 AM (UK time); 12PM (Nigeria time).

    Teams Qualified for the Round of 16

    The top eight teams from the league phase automatically secured their spots in the round of 16. These teams are:

    Liverpool
    Barcelona
    Arsenal
    Inter Milan
    Atletico Madrid
    Bayer Leverkusen
    Lille
    Aston Villa

    They will be joined by the eight winners from the knockout play-offs:

    Bayern Munich
    Benfica
    Club Brugge
    Feyenoord
    Borussia Dortmund
    Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
    Real Madrid
    PSV Eindhoven
    How Does the Last-16 Draw Work?

    The draw follows a structured bracket system, with potential opponents for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals pre-determined based on teams’ final league positions.

    The top eight clubs are grouped into four seeded pairs according to their league phase rankings:

    1st vs 2nd
    3rd vs 4th
    5th vs 6th
    7th vs 8th

    Each seeded pair is drawn against one of the knockout play-off winners. Four bowls will be used in the draw:

    One for seeded teams
    One for knockout play-off winners
    Two for bracket allocation

    Teams will be placed into the bracket systematically, ensuring a balanced knockout phase.

    Who Could British Teams Face in the Last 16?
    Liverpool (1st seed) vs PSG (15th) or Benfica (16th)
    Arsenal (3rd seed) vs PSV (14th) or Feyenoord (19th)
    Aston Villa (8th seed) vs Borussia Dortmund (10th) or Club Brugge (24th)
    Champions League Knockout Play-Off Results

    First Legs (February 11-12):

    Brest 0-3 PSG
    Juventus 2-1 PSV Eindhoven
    Man City 2-3 Real Madrid
    Sporting Lisbon 0-3 Borussia Dortmund
    Club Brugge 2-1 Atalanta
    Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich
    Feyenoord 1-0 AC Milan
    Monaco 0-1 Benfica

    Second Legs (February 18-19)

    AC Milan 1-1 Feyenoord (agg 1-2)
    Atalanta 1-3 Club Brugge (agg 2-5)
    Bayern Munich 1-1 Celtic (agg 3-2)
    Benfica 3-3 Monaco (agg 4-3)
    Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (agg 3-0)
    PSG 7-0 Brest (agg 10-0)
    PSV Eindhoven 3-1 Juventus (agg 4-3)
    Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (agg 6-3)
    Champions League Knockout Stage Schedule
    Round of 16: March 4/5 & March 11/12
    Quarter-finals: April 8/9 & April 15/16
    Semi-finals: April 29/30 & May 6/7
    Final: May 31 (Allianz Arena, Munich)

    With the draw set to determine the next phase of the competition, excitement is building as teams prepare for the road to the Champions League final.

  • Gatland ‘weighed down’ by criticism before Wales exit

    Gatland ‘weighed down’ by criticism before Wales exit

    Warren Gatland says he left his role as Wales head coach after being “weighed down” by criticism – including from his former players.

    Gatland left his role last week following a 22-15 Six Nations defeat in Italy, a result which extended Wales’ record losing streak to 14 Tests and saw them drop to an all-time low of 12th in rugby’s world rankings.

    Gatland, 61, says he felt before the game in Rome that defeat could bring an end to his second spell as Wales head coach if his side lost.

    “It was always a must-win game,” Gatland said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph., external

    “The Friday or the Saturday before the game, I made sort of a decision without thinking too much about it.

    “If we didn’t win that game, then I’d have to seriously consider my position. It would be the best time and the best thing for everyone to walk away.”

    Gatland was contracted with Wales until the 2027 World Cup, but left his post by “mutual consent” three days after defeat to Italy, which followed a humbling in France on the opening weekend of the Six Nations.

    Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney said both parties had agreed an immediate change was “in the best interests” of the Wales squad, with Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt quickly installed as Gatland’s temporary replacement for the remainder of the Six Nations.

  • ‘A decade of mismanagement’ – Man Utd reveal revenue drop

    ‘A decade of mismanagement’ – Man Utd reveal revenue drop

    A Manchester United supporters’ group says fans must not “pay the price” for the club’s financial “mismanagement” after the Red Devils announced revenues decreased by 12% in the last financial quarter.

    The club announced on Wednesday that revenues had dropped to £198.7m for the final three months of 2024, down from £225.8m for the same period 12 months previously.

    Overall, the club made an operating profit of £3.1m – down from £27.5m over the same period in 2023 – after spending £14.5m on the sackings of Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff, including the £4.1m cost of hiring and then dismissing former sporting directorDan Ash worth within five months.

    The announcement comes against a backdrop of the club making over 200 redundancies and raising matchday ticket prices to £66 per game, with no concessions for children or pensioners.

    United wrote to supporters in January to say “difficult” decisions would need to be taken as the club was “close” to breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

    The club did not deny reports that it is seeking to make further redundancies when approached by BBC Sport earlier this month.

    It is expected by United that the restructuring decisions will lead to savings of between £30m and £40m.

    “Fans should not pay the price for a problem that starts with our crippling debt interest payments and is exacerbated by a decade or more of mismanagement,” said Manchester United Supporters’ Trust in a statement.

    “It’s time to freeze ticket prices and allow everyone – players, management, owners and fans – to get behind United and restore this club to where it belongs.”

    Manchester United’s second quarter results

    Revenues down 12%, from £225.8m to £198.7m

    Broadcast revenue down 42%, from £106.4m to £61.6m

    Operating profit down 88.7%, from £27.5m to £3.1m

    Commercial revenue up 18.5%, from £71.8m to £85.1m

    £14.5m spent on sacking of Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff, including £4.1m on hiring then firing of former director Dan Ashworth

    Club debt up from £506.6m to £515.7m

    They owe £414m on transfer fees to other clubs

    ‘Winning Europa League has to be the focus’ – analysis

    Football finance expert Kieran Maguire pointed out that United have now paid more than £1bn in interest repayments on the debt used to finance the 2005 Glazer family takeover.

    He said the FA Cup win last season, which resulted in Europa League football, has “saved their bacon”, and that winning the Europa League this season “should be the focus” to bring Champions League football back to Old Trafford.

    Maguire said: “A good season in the Champions League can be worth far in excess of £100m. By the time you combine gate receipts, sponsor bonuses and the prize money available, the numbers involved are eye-watering.

    “Europa League should be the focus. Winning that competition will give them far more flexibility in 2025-26.”

    Background – United’s debt explained

    The main driver of United’s decrease in revenues was the drop in broadcast revenues.

    The club said this was down to United’s men’s first team playing in the Europa League compared to the Champions League in the 2023-24 season.

    Now led by Ruben Amorim, United sit a lowly 15th in the Premier League table but are through to the Europa League knockout stages, as well as the fifth round of the FA Cup.

    Overall, the club made a quarterly operating profit of £3.1m, which was down from £27.5m over the same period in 2023, but United said club debt increased from £506.6m to £515.7m because of “unfavourable” exchange rate changes.

    Included in the results is a £14.5m ‘exceptional item’ figure, made up of the £10.4m spent on sacking Ten Hag and his coaching staff in October and £4.1m for the departure of Ashworth in December.

    Commercial revenue was up 18.5% from £71.8m to £85.1m, as a result of the front-of-shirt partnership with Snapdragon.

    “We recognise the challenges in improving our men’s team’s league position and we are all working hard, collectively, to achieve that,” said Omar Berrada, United’s chief executive officer.

    Berrada said the club’s redevelopment of the training ground was “on track”.

    The £11m cost of appointing new head coach Amorim and his staff is not specifically mentioned in United’s latest financial results.

    United sources say that cost is being spread over their two-and-a-half-year contracts.

    The club paid the sum to activate Amorim’s release clause at Portuguese outfit Sporting while he was under contract and with the 2024-25 season under way.

    Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s co-owner, has a 28.94% stake in the club through his Ineos group.

    The British billionaire has sought a number of cost-cutting measures in order to help the club to comply with profit and sustainability rules.

    Under profit and sustainability rules (PSR), clubs can record a maximum loss of £105m over a three-year reporting period.

    United’s losses over the past five years total over £370m, but some costs – such as infrastructure costs, youth development and community spending – do not count towards PSR calculations.

    Since Ratcliffe’s investment was announced in December 2023, United have made about 250 staff redundant.

    The club made two men’s team signings in the January transfer window, with Patrick Dorgu arriving from Lecce and Ayden Heaven joining from Arsenal.

    Marcus Rashford, Antony and Tyrell Malacia all left United on loan.

    However, transfer activity in January is not included in the latest financial results as it falls outside the quarterly timeframe.

  • Chelsea eager to land £70m Guehi – Thursday’s gossip

    Chelsea eager to land £70m Guehi – Thursday’s gossip

    Chelsea want to re-sign defender Marc Guehi in the summer, Martin Zubimendi – who turned down Liverpool – could be finally heading to the Premier League, while former Fulham winger Luis Boa Morte could be heading into management in England.

    Chelsea are determined to beat off competition from Premier League rivals to sign Crystal Palace’s £70m-rated England defender Marc Guehi. The 24-year-old joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021. (Mirror), external

    Meanwhile, Chelsea remain convinced they can sign Guehi in the summer despite their failed approach in January, while Ipswich Town’s English striker striker Liam Delap, 22, is also on their radar. (Sun), external

    Liverpool and Manchester City are both interested in Bayer Leverkusen’s right-sided player Jeremie Frimpong, who has a “gentlemen’s agreement” with his German club to listen to offers worth 40m euros (£33.1m). The Netherlands international, 24, was in City’s academy before moving to Celtic in 2019. (Teamtalk), external

    Arsenal are monitoring the situation of 22-year-old French striker Hugo Ekitike and could test Eintracht Frankfurt’s resolve with a bid in the summer. (Metro), external

    Meanwhile, the Gunners are optimistic of signing Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, 26, who decided to stay with his club rather than join Liverpool last summer. (Teamtalk), external

    Liverpool’s Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, 26, remains a top target for Chelsea this summer, with the Blues prepared to pay up to £40m for the Reds’ second-choice stopper. (Football Insider)

    Barcelona’s 17-year-old Spain winger Lamine Yamal has played down reports of a move to Paris St-Germain – and says he loves Barca. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish), external

    Liverpool’s Colombia forward Luis Diaz, 28, wants to sign a new contract – even though his current deal still has two years to run. (TBR Football), external

    Barcelona could turn their attention to signing Diaz, who is a long-term target of the club and would be cheaper than signing Portugal winger Rafael Leao, 25, from AC Milan. (Sport – in Spanish), external

    Al-Ahli could launch a world record bid for Real Madrid’s Brazil forward Vinicius Junior. The Saudi Pro League side, which is the next of the clubs owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund to be allocated a marquee signing, would offer around 350m euros (£290m). (Teamtalk), external

    Leicester City and Crystal Palace are watching Midtjylland and Guinea-Bissau forward Franculino Dju, 20, who came through Benfica’s academy. (Bold – in Danish), external

    Former Fulham, Arsenal and West Ham winger Luis Boa Morte, currently head coach of the Guinea-Bissau national men’s team, is interested in the vacant manager’s job at Blackburn Rovers. (Sun), external

  • PSG 7 0 Brest

    PSG 7 0 Brest

    Paris St-Germain roared into the last 16 of the Champions League with a thumping victory over Brest.

    Luis Enrique’s side will now face Liverpool or Barcelona with the draw due to take place on Friday, 21 February at 11:00 GMT, in Nyon Switzerland.

    Already leading 3-0 from the first leg of their knockout play-off, the hosts again exhibited their superiority over a fellow French side they have now defeated four times this season – scoring 18 times in the process.

    Bradley Barcola extended their advantage with a neat near-post effort and his fellow winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tapped in PSG’s second of the evening before the break.

    Portugal international Joao Neves also hit the crossbar for the hosts, before his compatriot and midfield partner Vitinha curled a low shot into the right corner from 18 yards just before the hour mark.

    From there PSG moved through the gears.

    Goncalo Ramos teed up fellow substitute Desire Doue for their fourth, the impressive Nuno Mendes slid in Achraf Hakimi’s teasing ball for a fifth, Ramos’ deft finish brought a sixth and teenager Senny Mayulu rounded off the scoring with four minutes left.

    It ensured a miserable night in the French capital for Brest, who only threatened sporadically when Mathias Pereira Lage’s placed effort was cleared off the line by PSG captain Marquinhos and Pierre Lees-Melou hit the post with a curling effort.

  • PSV 3 1 Juventus

    PSV 3 1 Juventus

    Ryan Flamingo scored an extra-time winner as PSV Eindhoven produced a superb performance against Juventus to overturn their first-leg deficit and book a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League.

    PSV suffered a 2-1 defeat in the first leg of the tie in Turin, but fought with determination at home on Wednesday night to dump out the Italian giants in a frenetic encounter.

    Ivan Perisic and Ismael Saibari netted either side of a stunning Timothy Weah strike to make it 3-3 on aggregate in normal time before Flamingo sealed victory.

    PSV’s progression means they will face either Arsenal or Inter Milan in the last 16. The draw takes place from 11:00 GMT on Friday.

    PSV pinned Juve back from the off, with Noa Lang’s vision and footwork on the left-hand side producing their brightest moments early on.

    Lang made the excellent opener when he broke free on the halfway line, charged forwards, cut past his markers and slipped through former Tottenham winger Perisic to arrow a strike into the bottom corner.

    Perisic flashed an effort wide and Luuk de Jong had a header cleared off the line, but Weah put Juve back in front on aggregate by spectacularly rifling a cleared corner into the net.

    Saibari levelled the tie when he latched onto a loose ball in the six-yard box after De Jong failed to get clean a shot away.

    Neither side could wrap things up in normal time but PSV – as they did in both halves – started extra-time with verve; defender Flamingo became the unlikely hero when he prodded home from close range after Michele Di Gregorio failed to clear a low Johan Bakayoko delivery.

    Thiago Motta’s side tried to battle back, with Kenan Yildiz hitting the post, but could not avoiding failing to progress from a Champions League tie after winning the first leg for the first time in their history.

  • ‘Nothing is eternal’ – Guardiola ‘accepts reality’ as Man City exit

    ‘Nothing is eternal’ – Guardiola ‘accepts reality’ as Man City exit

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said “nothing is eternal” after his side were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid.

    City have enjoyed great success under Guardiola, with their trophy haul under the former Barcelona boss including six Premier Leagues and the European Cup in 2023.

    However, they have endured the most testing campaign of his reign this term, having dropped out of the domestic title race amid an injury crisis and now out of Europe after Wednesday’s loss in Madrid.

    Nothing is eternal,” Guardiola said. “We have been unbelievable and we have to try step by step to get better from today.

    “We have been extraordinarily extraordinary in the past, but not any more.

    “We have 13 games [left in the Premier League] and have to be top four or five to try to be [in the Champions League] again.”

    After narrowly losing the first leg of their knockout play-off tie 3-2 at Etihad Stadium, City were a distant second best in Madrid, with Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat-trick as the hosts won 3-1 on the night to ease through 6-3 on aggregate.

    “We couldn’t defend well with the movement from Mbappe and it was more difficult,” said Guardiola.

    'Man City's surrender in Madrid marks end of an era'
    ‘Man City’s surrender in Madrid marks end of an era’

    “The best team won, they deserved it. They were better. What we have to do is accept the reality and move forward.”

    City striker Erling Haaland was not fully fit because of injury and was named on the substitutes’ bench.

    Mbappe 'flying' high at Real and now wants to 'make history'
    Mbappe ‘flying’ high at Real and now wants to ‘make history’

    The Norway international did not take part in the warm-up and was not brought on despite his side trailing.

    “Erling tried to train,” Guardiola said.

    “Apparently with the images we have done he is fine, but he had discomfort walking. He said ‘I am not ready, I don’t feel good’.”

  • ‘Not happy’ – how title race looks as Slot rues Liverpool draw

    ‘Not happy’ – how title race looks as Slot rues Liverpool draw

    Frustrated Liverpool boss Arne Slot believes the Premier League leaders dropped two points with their 2-2 draw at Aston Villa, but how does the result impact the title race?

    Trent Alexander-Arnold rescued the Reds with a 61st-minute leveller on Wednesday for a result that moves them eight points clear of second-placed Arsenal.

    But for the first time during the run-in, Slot’s side have played a game more than their north London counterparts, who may sense an opportunity to narrow the deficit, especially with Liverpool going to Manchester City on Sunday and the Gunners hosting West Ham the day before.

    Darwin Nunez missed a glorious chance to snatch the points in the second half, blazing over an empty goal from a few yards, although Villa could also have won it when Donyell Malen shot wide in the final seconds.

    “The only reason why we could be happy with the 2-2 was they got the last chance of the game, maybe their third after scoring two,” said Slot. “That could be the only reason where we could say a point is good to take.

    “For everything else, I’m not happy with 2-2. I wasn’t happy at all being 2-1 down at half-time, it didn’t reflect the first half at all.”

    With 12 games remaining for Liverpool in the title race, how likely are they to be caught? And who has the toughest run-in?

    Liverpool may have only managed a draw on Wednesday, but Slot’s side have now gone 22 consecutive Premier League games without defeat, winning 15 of those.

    It is the first time they have been able to put together such a streak since their 44-match unbeaten run between January 2019 and February 2020, when they went on to win a first Premier League title.

    Despite the draw, data analysts Opta still predict Liverpool to finish top on 87 points, six clear of Arsenal, using their projection algorithm.

    Their chance of winning the title has dropped slightly, however, from 87.65% to 84.79%, while Arsenal’s has risen from 12.35% to 15.13%.

    No other team is given a more than 1% chance by Opta of being champions.

    It has proved a testing run for the league leaders, who conceded a last-gasp equaliser against Everton in an emotional Merseyside derby draw at Goodison Park last Wednesday, scraped a hard-fought 2-1 win over Wolves at Anfield on Sunday and then had to come from behind for the point at Villa.

    Yet Slot denied his team are suffering a dip in form.

    They go to Manchester City knowing Arsenal will close the gap to five points if they beat West Ham at the Emirates on Saturday.

    “I don’t feel like that at all,” added Slot. “If you go away at Villa it is always a difficult fixture. Performance-wise, not a dip at all today in my opinion.

    “What we must not do, and a bit too often now, we don’t get what we deserve. If you put all the chances in a row from us and them it’s clear which team should have won this game.

    “We must not make a habit out of that as it’s happened a bit too much now but we are eight points clear with Arsenal having a game in hand.”

    What are Liverpool’s remaining fixtures?

    Liverpool’s recent form: WWDWD

    It is a hectic few weeks for Liverpool, with the Reds having league games pretty much every three days until the end of the month.

    But things ease considerably in March, when they play just one league game – a home fixture against bottom club Southampton.

    Liverpool have the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on 16 March, while Arsenal play Chelsea at home in the Premier League on the same date – at which point both clubs will have nine games left.

    On either 4 or 5 March, Liverpool will also have the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, when they will travel to either Paris St-Germain or Benfica. The return leg at Anfield will take place a week later.

    Liverpool host Arsenal on 10 May, but finish the season with a home game against Crystal Palace – by which point they would hope to have settled the title outcome.

    Liverpool’s final 12 Premier League games:

    23 February: Man City (A)

    26 February: Newcastle (H)

    8 March: Southampton (H)

    2 April: Everton (H)

    5 April: Fulham (A)

    12 April: West Ham (H)

    19 April: Leicester (A)

    26 April: Tottenham (H)

    3 May: Chelsea (A)

    10 May: Arsenal (H)

    18 May: Brighton (A)

    25 May: Crystal Palace (H)

    What are Arsenal’s remaining fixtures?

    Arsenal’s recent form: WDWWW

    Arsenal are currently unbeaten in 15 league matches (W10 D5) – their longest run without defeat under Mikel Arteta.

    They have now played one fewer Premier League games than Liverpool, but face Chelsea on 16 March to catch up, while the Reds are in the Carabao Cup final.

    Gunners fans will be hoping their side are still in the title race when they go to Anfield on 10 May because getting a result in that game would set them up for a home fixture against Newcastle and then an away trip to Southampton on the final day, by which point the Saints could be relegated.

    Arsenal’s final 13 Premier League games:

    22 February: West Ham (H)

    26 February: Nottingham Forest (A)

    9 March: Man Utd (A)

    16 March: Chelsea (H)

    1 April: Fulham (H)

    5 April: Everton (A)

    12 April: Brentford (H)

    19 April: Ipswich (A)

    26 April: Crystal Palace (H)

    3 May: Bournemouth (H)

    10 May: Liverpool (A)

    18 May: Newcastle (H)

    25 May: Southampton (A)

    Who has the easier run-in?

    Liverpool are on the road again on Sunday when they travel to reigning champions Manchester City, before Newcastle come to Anfield next Wednesday.

    “Every team has to play every team twice and this week is Villa away and City away,” Slot told BBC Sport after the draw at Villa Park.

    “These players are used to this and are used to playing for trophies.”

    Arsenal, meanwhile, face six sides in the top half of the table in their final 13 games.

  • Mbappe ‘flying’ high at Real and now wants to ‘make history’

    Mbappe ‘flying’ high at Real and now wants to ‘make history’

    “I want to write history with Real Madrid.”

    Kylian Mbappe’s message to the media was clear after his brilliant hat-trick destroyed Manchester City in the second leg of their 3-1 Champions League play-off win.

    The French striker’s goal in the 3-2 first-leg victory at Etihad Stadium may have come from a scuffed finish, but there was nothing fortunate about any of his three in the return at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday that sealed a 6-3 aggregate success over the English champions.

    Mbappe’s talent was on full display – his blistering pace, sharp movement and ruthless finishing proving too much for Pep Guardiola’s side to handle and sealing the holders’ place in the last 16.

    Not long ago, the France captain had come under heavy scrutiny from Real fans and pundits after scoring just three times in 11 appearances for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. It followed the 26-year-old’s acrimonious exit from Paris St-Germain to join the Spanish giants on a free transfer last June when his contract ended.

    But he has now scored 27 goals in all competitions so far this season after a ‘slow start’ to life in Madrid. It’s safe to say he is no longer adapting, but thriving.

    “The adaptation period for me has ended and now I have to show my quality,” said Mbappe. “I want to play well here, I want to make a mark on the season.

    “We wanted to win. We wanted to qualify for the next round. For us it was only logical that Real reached the next round of the Champions League.”

    Mbappe is now starting to look more like the feared frontman who scored 256 goals in 308 appearances during six years at PSG.

    And the Real faithful have clearly embraced him too as he received a standing ovation when he was taken off in the 78th minute after his treble.

    “What an ovation it is for Mbappe,” said BBC Radio 5 Live’s chief football correspondent John Murray.

    “What a player. What a man. What an individual. Just listen to how they love him here in Madrid.”

    Watch: Mbappe – the definitive story of a football prodigy

    Watch: How to win the Champions League – Real Madrid

    ‘Incredible what Mbappe has done’ – Bellingham

    Mbappe has 27 goals for Real this season

    Mbappe struggled to adapt to the central striker role entrusted in him by Ancelotti, with Vinicius Jr preferred in his favourite left-wing role.

    “If you go back to the first Clasico of the season at Bernabeu, it was so big for him,” European football expert James Horncastle told TodayPriceNG Match of the Day.

    “Madrid lost 4-0, Mbappe didn’t score and he was caught offside eight times. That was unthinkable for him.”

    His poor form in Spain even cost him a place in the France squad as Didier Deschamps omitted the national team captain from four Nations League fixtures in October and November last year.

    But since the turn of the new year, he has scored seven goals in six La Liga matches while also keeping Real alive in Europe after a shaky start to their campaign.

    “I don’t think anyone has ever doubted his talents, there was just going to be an adaptation period for him joining this club,” said former England defender Joleon Lescott on TNT Sports.

    Murray added: “There were one or two questions as to whether he would fit in here. That now seems preposterous.”

    It is no wonder he is already drawing comparisons with another Real legend – one Cristiano Ronaldo.

    In fact, numbers suggest he is already emulating the Portugal superstar, who won four Champions League crowns and two La Liga titles during a trophy-laden stay Madrid.

    Mbappe’s seven goals in this season’s Champions League has him level with Ronaldo (2009-10) and Spanish striker Justo Tejada (1961-62) for most goals scored by a Real player in Europe’s premier club competition during their debut campaign.

    “[Mbappe] has the quality to reach his numbers, but he has to work, because Cristiano set the bar very high, but he is so excited to play here, he can reach Cristiano’s level,” said Ancelotti.

    “Everyone was waiting for this hat-trick from him and it has finally arrived.”

    “It is incredible what he has done in his career,” team-mate Jude Bellingham told TNT Sports.

    “I know he had a slow start here and took time getting used to life here. Now he is flying and it’s so good to see.”

    With more performances like Wednesday, it will only be a matter of time before he cements his status as the face, and hero, of this Real side.

    “Tonight, he definitely announced himself with this club and the fans,” added former Manchester City and England defender Lescott.

    “If they go on to win it, this will be the moment they recognise Mbappe is their guy and the main man.”