Mbappe hopes to spark Madrid miracle

French star will be key to overturning Arsenal's 3-0 advantage, in what promises to be a memorable night at the Bernabeu

MADRID — Kylian Mbappe joined Real Madrid in search of Champions League glory, hoping to be on the right side of exactly the kind of magical night it needs against Arsenal on Wednesday if it is to progress to the semifinals.

The Gunners lead 3-0 after dismantling the holder in London last week in the quarterfinal first leg, leaving Madrid needing a miraculous comeback — the sort the 15-time winner is renowned for.

Returning from a three-goal defeat would be step further than anything Los Blancos have managed so far, but that is precisely why they tried for years to lure Mbappe to the club.