Error code: %{errorCode}
Mbappe vs Haaland: clash of styles in battle to be world’s best No.9
When Real Madrid take on Manchester City at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, it will be much more than a Champions League showdown between two European heavyweights – it will also be a duel between two of the planet’s most feared strikers.
On one side, there’s Kylian Mbappe, whose dazzling speed and versatility make him an all-action forward. On the other, Erling Haaland, a hulking goal machine whose lethal finishing inside the box, has cemented his reputation as a pure No. 9.
By the time the final whistle blows in the Spanish capital, opinions on who deserves to be called the world’s best centre forward could shift heavily in favour of whichever man imposes his style.
Mbappe is riding a rich vein of form. In 2025-26 he’s already struck 25 goals across all competitions. His brilliance was on full display in late November when he scored four times in a wild 4-3 win over Olympiacos – including a hat-trick in just six minutes and 42 seconds, the second-fastest in the history of the UEFA Champions League.
Just days later he struck twice and laid on a third in a composed 3-0 win over Athletic Club, ending a difficult run of form for Madrid and underlining his status as the fulcrum of the attack.
Haaland, meanwhile, is doing what he does best: scoring. For City in 2025-26 he has already amassed 20 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions – 15 of them coming in the Premier League in just 15 games. His recent goal in a dramatic 5-4 victory at Fulham also saw him become the fastest player in Premier League history to hit 100 career league goals, doing so in only 111 appearances.
In the Champions League, he remains among the competition’s top finishers, contributing five goals in five games this campaign.
What makes this so intriguing is how differently Mbappe and Haaland go about their business. Mbappe’s game thrives on speed, movement and unpredictability. He can drift wide, take defenders on, run at fullbacks, drop deep between the lines – and then still ghost into the box to finish.
That four-goal blitz against Olympiacos showcased not just his composure, but his ability to influence a match from multiple positions: the first two goals arrived after clever movement, the third after a burst of acceleration, the fourth from a more traditional poacher’s finish. His involvement in Real Madrid’s last nine away goals – seven scored, two assisted – speaks to how central he has become to the team’s attacking rhythm.
Haaland, by contrast, is the archetype of a classic centre-forward: powerful, physical and ruthlessly efficient.
Getty Images
He thrives on crosses, service into the box, first-time finishes and clinical positioning. Most of his 100 Premier League goals to date have come from within the penalty area – largely with his left foot – and many as a result of his strength and aerial presence as much as his finishing. He doesn’t drift wide; his domain is the six-yard box, and when the ball arrives, he is almost invariably ready to pounce.
So when Real Madrid and City meet in the Champions League, all eyes will be on how these two styles collide.
Will Madrid attempt to exploit Mbappe’s mobility and ability to stretch defences wide? Or will City absorb pressure and look to feed Haaland crosses and cutbacks, trusting his clinical instincts?
The answers may hint at more than just who wins the match – they could tilt the debate over who is truly the world’s best No. 9.
Full Champions League fixture list for Matchday 6
Tuesday 9 December
- Kairat Almaty vs Olympiacos
- Bayern Munich vs Sporting CP
- Atalanta vs Chelsea
- Barcelona vs Eintracht Frankfurt
- Inter vs Liverpool
- Monaco vs Galatasaray
- PSV Eindhoven vs Atletico Madrid
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Slavia Prague
- Union St. Gilloise vs Marseille
Wednesday, 10 December
- Qarabag FK vs Ajax
- Villareal vs FC København
- Athletic Club vs PSG
- Leverkusen vs Newcastle
- Benfica vs Napoli
- Dortmund vs Bodø/Glimt
- Club Brugge vs Arsenal
- Juventus vs Pafos FC
- Real Madrid vs Man City
How to watch Real Madrid vs Manchester City in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch Real Madrid vs Manchester City in the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
An annual upfront payment is $224.99 , while paying monthly for 12 months is $19.99 and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, each offering a different selection of sports. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
