PSG missed several chances and were thwarted by Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who denied Lionel Messi from the penalty spot in the second half.
Follow Us
Kylian Mbappe scored a brilliant stoppage-time goal as Paris Saint-Germain edged past Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg fixture at Parc des Princes on Tuesday. The hosts could have won the match a lot earlier but missed several chances and were thwarted by Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who denied Mbappe on multiple occasions before denying Lionel Messi from the penalty spot in the second half. Meanwhile Real Madrid finished the match with zero shots on target while PSG had eight.
Also read: Champions League: Three players to watch out for in knockout stages
FULL-TIME: @PSG_English 1-0 @realmadriden @KMbappe‘s outstanding late goal wins the game tonight! ???
An advantage to take to Madrid for the second leg. #UCL | #PSGRM pic.twitter.com/Zj5986fq7q
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 15, 2022
The match started with a slow pace and it took some time for both sides to get going. It was PSG who made the first real opening as Messi played one of his trademark overhead balls to release Mbappe on goal. But Courtois quickly came off his line to deny the Frenchman.
The first half was a cagey affair as there weren’t too many chances created and Marco Verratti was the first to get booked as he got a yellow card for a late challenge on Casemiro. The hosts started the second half with more intent and Courtois was tested within four minutes of restart.
Achraf Hakimi played a one-touch pass to Mbappe inside the box and the 22-year-old forward’s low drive was brilliantly kept out by Courtois. It was a quick passing game from PSG to open up the Real defense.
On the hour-mark, Mbappe proved too hot for Dani Carvajal to handle and the latter brought him down inside the box. Referee quickly pointed to the spot. Messi stepped up to take the spot-kick and his low shot was superbly kept out by Courtois. The Belgian stretched low to his left to deny the Argentine legend.
Neymar, who is returning from an injury, was introduced for Angel di Maria with less than 20 minutes left on the clock. Messi played a beautiful give-and-go with Neyamer before delivering a teasing cross from the left, but Mbappe failed to make a connection and Ferland Mendy cleared it for a corner.
Mbappe’s low curler from the left side of the penalty area went just wide of the far post. Neymar was looking good since coming on and he was combining pretty well with Messi and Mbappe. Messi got past two defenders before releasing Neymar on the right side of the box, but the Latter’s attempted chip over the keeper was too heavy.
PSG were clearly the dominant side in the second half as they had the majority of ball possession, and created more chances. Maurico Pochettino’s side deservedly scored the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Neymar played a back-heel pass to Mbappe on the left. The star striker brilliantly dribbled past Lucas Vazquez and Eder Militao, dropped his shoulder and slotted through Courtois’ legs.
Meanwhile Real Madrid will be without Casemiro and Mendy for the second leg at home on March 9 as both of them will be suspended for collecting three yellow cards in the competition.
