A Champions League showdown between Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland is anticipated to materialize in the finals one day.

On Wednesday, during a routine league match, Real Madrid will welcome Manchester City as two of soccer’s most formidable forwards meet for the third time in this competition since Haaland’s entry in 2019.

The encounter at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium may not be their last clash this season.

Furthermore, France is set to face Norway on June 26 at the New England Patriots stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, making it one of the most awaited matches following the recent World Cup draw.

There may be additional matchups in the Champions League, considering Real Madrid and Manchester City have clashed in knockout stages for the past four years, combining to seize three titles in that span, while Mbappé is still on the hunt for his first.

The first duel between Mbappé and Haaland took place in the round of 16 in February 2020, when a newly signed Haaland netted two goals in the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain, showcasing his “Zen” celebration, seated cross-legged as if in meditation. However, Mbappé and PSG advanced with a 3-2 aggregate score.

Last season, during the knockout playoffs in February, Mbappé scored four goals, including a hat trick in the second leg, leading Madrid to defeat Manchester City in both matches despite Haaland’s two goals in the first leg.

With four goals against Olympiakos last month, Mbappé has become the top scorer in this Champions League season, needing just one more to hit the 10-goal mark for the first time in his decade-long participation in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Haaland has five goals to his credit, having already reached double figures in three Champions League campaigns.

Currently, Madrid ranks fifth with 12 points, two points ahead of City, who sits in ninth place within the 36-team table.