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PSG vs Real Madrid LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight

Follow live coverage as PSG and Real Madrid meet in a battle of European heavyweights with both hoping to put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals

Karl Matchett
Wednesday 16 February 2022 09:04 GMT
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(Getty Images)

Eventually, Paris Saint-Germain get there, maybe before Kylian Mbappe goes there. There was certainly a level of genius about how he got into this space.

You couldn’t quite say the French star stole the game given how utterly dominant his team were, but he did steal the show.

Mbappe’s mercurial stoppage-time winner gave PSG a deserved 1-0 win over a dismally defensive Real Madrid, to also ensure Leo Messi’s saved penalty did not have the same cost.

That is always the risk you run when you try and play it so safe. It was an inevitability of Madrid being so conservative, and perhaps an inevitability of the fact this was the first Champions League knock-out tie since the abolition of the away goal rule.

Madrid apparently had no interest in scoring one. It’s also possible, however, that they had no means of scoring one.

The entire match was one grand display of why this stale team so badly need Mbappe. It may well change the future. Follow all the latest reaction and analysis here:

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42’ - PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

Now it’s Verratti into the book despite his protestations, after sliding in on Casemiro. Real just enjoying some possession in PSG’s half now, a long-overdue stint in the middle third at least. The home crowd start a few boos and whistles at the visitors having the temerity to play keep-ball - Ancelotti will be happier to see this.

Asensio tries to change the pace of the game with a quick dribble, but he’s blocked by Mendes and it’s cleared.

Karl Matchett15 February 2022 20:43
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38’ - PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

Casemiro sees a yellow card flashed his way for kicking right through the back of Mendes and then raising a hand to Paredes afterwards - that’s a costly booking. He’ll miss the second leg back at the Bernabeu.

Moments later Mendes is clattered by Asensio but no card this time - the Paris crowd want another. Bit late but not too bad.

Into the last seven or eight minutes of the first half; not too much goalmouth action, despite PSG’s total domination of the ball.

Karl Matchett15 February 2022 20:41
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34’ - PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

Real Madrid just now beginning to try launching a few counters with some direct passes from deep, helped by Benzema dropping in. Vinicus almost gets through, but a deflection falls kindly for the centre-backs instead.

At the other end another flowing passing move sees Mendes find space down the left, Verratti switch play to Messi...but of all people, it’s the No30 who wastes possession with a short pass out to Di Maria going wayward.

Karl Matchett15 February 2022 20:38
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30’ - PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

Wasted chance for Real Madrid to get a bit of pressure on PSG at last, as Kroos’ free-kick is easily cleared. Half an hour in, we’ve barely seen Donnarumma and there’s been nothing on the ball from Asensio or Benzema at all - none of Real’s front three have had 10 touches yet in fact.

Messi suddenly clicks into gear and dribbles past Alaba - then his right-footed effort swipes past the far post. Still no breakthrough here - Man City are well in front and already looking good for the quarter-finals as they lead 3-0 at Sporting CP.

Karl Matchett15 February 2022 20:34
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26’ - PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

Di Maria wins the ball off Casemiro but the ref says he did so illegally. The whistle goes as the Argentinian attacker lashes the ball over the bar from 30 yards.

Still very patient from PSG with their dominant approach, lots of passing triangles and waiting for the right moment to feed it out wide, which is where the pace is with Hakimi, Mendes and Mbappe. Messi is still floating all over, picking the ball up in pockets and changing the direction of play.

Karl Matchett15 February 2022 20:28
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22’ - PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

Almost halfway through the first 45’ already - it has flown by, with PSG totally dominant. Benzema so far unable to get into the game at all.

Mbappe goes down outside the box after playing a one-two past Militao, but there’s no interest from the ref to give a foul. Not giving much early on, the Italian official.

Casemiro and Ferland Mendy are on yellow cards from the group stage - one tonight and they’ll miss the second leg. None in that situation for the French side.

Karl Matchett15 February 2022 20:24
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16’ - PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

Vinicius Jr gets on the ball for about the first time tonight in an attacking area. He helps build play initially but after a switch of play Carvajal has lost the ball, PSG counter at pace and Mbappe is almost in - fine recovery challenge at the back by Carvajal, who had sprinted back.

Verratti beats Militao twice down the left, then, before a lofted pass finds Mbappe in again - Courtois to the rescue this time as the No7 scuffs a left-footed finish on-target!

Karl Matchett15 February 2022 20:19
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12’ - PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

Seven defeats in nine games against Real Madrid so far for Mauricio Pochettino. He’d take an eighth defeat across the two legs if it meant his side progressing on aggregate - no away goals anymore, remember.

Verratti, Marquinhos and Paredes seem to be dominating play at the moment, the Brazilian centre-back stepping up to keep recycling the ball and keep the Spanish side in their own half of the pitch. Mbappe beats Carvajal for a third time as the right-back overstretches, but Modric and Casemiro do enough to block the ball behind.

Karl Matchett15 February 2022 20:14
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8’ - PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

Good defending from Eder Militao as he intercepts a dribble and then coolly bypasses Nuno Mendes before clearing. PSG with all the possession and pressure so far, Mbappe looking very lively - he beats Carvajal again and wins a corner this time.

It’s taken quickly, but Mendes’ eventual cross is a waste. Marquinhos doesn’t look too pleased in the middle.

Karl Matchett15 February 2022 20:10
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4’ - PSG 0-0 Real Madrid

Plenty of spaces behind both midfields in the opening stages of the game. Not too much pressure on the ball in the middle - both sides look pretty happy to stand off and wait for the chance to pickpocket when the more adventurous passes are made.

Messi very, very deep for the most part so far - Mbappe beats Carvajal on the outside, crosses low and Di Maria smashes over the bar.

Karl Matchett15 February 2022 20:06

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