Real Madrid vs PSG LIVE result: Karim Benzema scores twice but PSG come back to earn draw
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Paris St Germain scored two late goals in the space of three minutes to battle back for a 2-2 draw at Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday and secure top spot in Group A at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real had sealed their place in the knockout stages for a record-extending 23rd successive year thanks to Club Bruges' 1-1 draw at Galatasaray earlier while PSG had also already qualified.
Yet they still served up a thrilling game with top spot on the line as well as pride after PSG had crushed Real 3-0 back in September.
Karim Benzema knocked into an empty net to give Real the lead in the 17th minute of his 100th Champions League start and the French forward doubled the advantage with a 79th minute header.
Yet Kylian Mbappe immediately reduced the deficit in the 81st minute, capitalising on a mistake from Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois before Pablo Sarabia equalised in the 82nd.
PSG's fightback added to concern in the stands after Real winger Eden Hazard hobbled off in the second half with an ankle injury, although substitute Gareth Bale almost snatched a winner when he struck the post in added time from a free kick.
PSG top Group A with 13 points from five games while Real are second on eight. Club Bruges, who Real visit in their final game next month, are third on three points, while Galatasaray, who will travel to PSG, are bottom with two.
Real were cruising in the first half but the game looked set to be shaken up when PSG were awarded a penalty and Courtois was shown a red card for hauling down Mauro Icardi in the area.
But the referee overturned both decisions following a VAR review, and awarded Real a free kick instead for a foul on Marcelo in the build-up.
Madrid, who had won five of their previous six games, produced a dominant display from start to finish but were let down by slack defending in the closing stages.
They should have killed the game off long before Benzema's second but were repeatedly denied by their former, much-loved keeper Keylor Navas.
The Costa Rican, who won three consecutive Champions League crowns with Real before moving to Paris at the start of the season, made 10 saves, including a stunning block to deny Benzema from point-blank range.
Reuters
What time is the game?
The game kicks off at 8pm on Tuesday November 26.
The game is being broadcast on BT Sport ESPN with coverage getting underway at 8pm.
Subscribers can also stream the game live online via the BT Sport website.
Predicted XIs
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Hazard, Benzema
PSG: Navas, Meunier, Silva, Kimpembe, Bernat, Marquinhos, Verratti, Gueye, Di Maria, Mbappe, Neymar.
What are the odds?
Real Madrid 5/4
Draw 11/4
PSG 9/5
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of Real Madrid vs PSG.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane says that Gareth Bale is still "a big part of the group" as they face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League tonight.
Bale came on to an indifferent reception from Madrid fans in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad after posing with a flag that read: "Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order" last week.
The match was Bale's first appearance for the club in seven weeks and he's named on the bench for tonight's match.
"[Bale] wants to be with us and do well and he's done that." Zidane said.
"I have said before, we need our fans with us. Talk, talk, talk, it's not necessary. He's a big part of the group and we are together."
Team news - PSG
Navas, Bernat, Kimpembe, Silva, Meuier, Verratti, Marquinhos, Gueye, Mbappe, Icardi, Di Maria
PSG top Group A and have already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition with four wins out of four in the group.
Real Madrid are in second place and a win over PSG tonight would guarantee their qualification to the next round.
The French club have scored 10 goals in the tournament so far and are yet to concede so Zidane's men have their work cut out for them.
However, they may make it through before kick off if Bruges fail to beat Galatasaray in the early kick off game.
Currently the score in that match is 1-0 to Galatasaray.
Real can secure their progress to the last-16 with a win and would keep the battle for top spot in Group A alive:
This will be the 10th competitive meeting between Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain and
the sixth in the Champions League. There has been two draws with four wins for Madrid and three for PSG.
Real Madrid have won three of their four previous home games against the French side but they lost the final match in the Cup Winners' Cup in 1994.
PSG defeated Madrid 3-0 in the first group game of this season and a win tonight will make it only the second time they've won consecutive matches against the Spanish giants. The first time also came in 1994.
In the Champions League, PSG have never beaten Real Madrid at the Bernabeu with Madrid winning eight out of the 11 games played here against French opposition.
In fact their last five matches against French teams at home have all been victories with an aggregate score of 15-1.
For PSG they have lost their last five Champions League away games against Spanish teams, their longest such losing run against teams from a single nation in the competition.
Of the 18 managers he's faced in the Champions League Zinedine Zidane has registered at least one win over 15 of them.
One of the three managers that he is yet to beat is Thomas Tuchel, who's in charge of PSG. Zidane has faced Tuchel more than any other manager winning recording a win. Played three, won none, drawn two and lost one.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments