PSG vs Real Madrid preview: Neymar returns as Benzema travels with Los Blancos ahead of last 16 cracker
FootballPSG 1-0 Real Madrid: Mbappe nets brilliant stoppage-time winner to give Parisians advantage in UCL last 16
- PSG emerged victorious over their rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 first leg thanks to a Kylian Mbappe winner
- Mbappe brilliantly found the back of the net in stoppage time to help his side avoid a frustrating 0-0 draw
- Earlier on, Lionel Messi saw his penalty brilliantly saved by Thibaut Coutois in a game where the hosts dominated possession
- With the away-goal rule abolished, the tie is finely poised ahead of the second leg on 9 March
Paris Saint Germain edged Real Madrid 1-0 in a pulsating Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday, February 15 at the Parc des Princes.
It was Kylian Mbappe who got the winner with a brilliant goal in stoppage time to give his side an advantage over the 13-time Champions League winners.
The hosts were thoroughly dominant, particularly in possession, but somehow failed to break down the Spanish giants for large parts of the game.
It also looked like it was going to be one of those frustrating nights for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as Lionel Messi saw his low penalty saved by Thibaut Courtois just after the hour mark.
Mbappe, a summer target for Real Madrid, was the standout player throughout the game and had a hand in the concession of the penalty.
The Frenchman proved to be a nuisance, particularly for Dani Carvajal, who was adjudged to have fouled him in the box.
Real Madrid seemed content to sit back at times and soak up the pressure, as they tried to hit their opponents on the counter - a tactic that seemed to have worked seamlessly prior to Mbappe’s winner.
Mauricio Pochettino introduced Neymar in the place of Angel Di Maria, and that change proved decisive as the Brazilian, fresh out of injury, proved instrumental to his side’s winning goal.
With the game meandering towards a draw, Neymar’s clever back heel found Mbappe, who got between two defenders in the box before beating Courtois through the Belgian’s legs.
Man City thrash Sporting Lisbon in Portugal to take giant stride towards Champions League quarterfinal
FootballPSG march on
The win is by no means decisive in the tie as Paris Saint Germain still have a lot of work to do when they take on Real Madrid once again in the second leg on 9 March.
With no away goals rule in this year’s competition, it will go down to which side can score more goals across the two legs.
Manchester City thrash Sporting Lisbon
In the other round of 16 first leg tie, Manchester City proved too strong for Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon as they ran out comfortable 5-0 winners.
Goals from Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and a brace from Bernardo Silva were enough to ensure Pep Guardiola’s side has one foot in the quarter-finals.
Bernardo Silva was particularly brilliant throughout the game and he managed to silence the boos around the stadium with a brilliant goal.