Mbappe draws level with Zidane as Benzema’s Champions League mark comes into view

Kylian Mbappe moved to within one assist of Karim Benzema’s French record in UEFA Champions League history after scoring and setting up a goal in Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Leipzig at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Mbappe created Real Madrid’s second goal for Arda Guler with a precise header before adding the third himself as the Spanish side secured their third win of the competition.

The assist took Mbappe’s total in the tournament to 26, according to Opta, putting him joint second among French players alongside Zinedine Zidane, who is the current manager of the France national team.

Benzema remains top of the standings with 27 assists, meaning Mbappe needs one more to draw level with his former Real Madrid team-mate. Thierry Henry, the former Arsenal and Barcelona forward, is fourth with 25 assists.

The updated list of French players with the most Opta-defined assists in UEFA Champions League history is:

– Karim Benzema – 27 – Kylian Mbappe – 26 – Zinedine Zidane – 26 – Thierry Henry – 25

Real Madrid’s win lifted them to nine points from three matches and fourth place in the UEFA Champions League table. They are level on goal difference with leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

Leipzig remain on three points and sit 29th in the standings.