Madrid, Spain – In a highly anticipated Champions League clash, Real Madrid is set to host Manchester City, a match that pits two of the world's most formidable strikers, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, against each other. This encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu is not just another league-phase game; it's a preview of what fans can expect at the upcoming World Cup, where France will face Norway on June 26 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Mbappé has been a consistent force for Real Madrid this season, rescuing the team on multiple occasions with his "lethal brilliance". He has scored 25 goals in 21 games, leading the scoring charts in both Spain and the Champions League. Similarly, Haaland has been instrumental for Manchester City, scoring 20 goals in 20 games across all competitions. Both players are considered top contenders for individual awards, including the Ballon d'Or.
This Champions League face-off marks another chapter in the ongoing rivalry between Mbappé and Haaland, a rivalry that many see as the successor to the legendary Messi-Cristiano era. Their first encounter was on February 18, 2020, in a Champions League round of 16 match where Haaland scored twice for Borussia Dortmund against Paris Saint-Germain. Mbappé's PSG, however, advanced on aggregate. Last season, in the knockout playoffs, Mbappé scored four times against Manchester City, including a hat trick in the second leg.
As of December 8, 2025, Mbappé has 9 goals in the Champions League this season, making him the top scorer in the competition. Haaland has five goals. In their Champions League careers, Mbappé has 64 goals in 92 games, while Haaland has 54 goals in 53 games.
Real Madrid enters the week in fifth place with 12 points, while Manchester City is in ninth. The match at the Bernabéu is their third meeting in the Champions League since Haaland's debut in 2019. Real Madrid and Manchester City have frequently clashed in the Champions League knockout stages, meeting in each of the past four seasons. Collectively, they have won three titles in that period.
The upcoming match is not just a contest between two football clubs but also a personal duel between two players who aim to solidify their status as European football icons. The stats reveal a tight balance between the two, promising an exciting and high-scoring affair.
