MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 04:40:38| >> :120:14789:14789:
[monks data]
Attendance: 75,534
Real Madrid logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 26, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
PSG logo

2-2

Benzema (17', 79')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Mbappe (81'), Sarabia (83')

Zidane "happy with the game" after Real held to late draw by PSG

Zidane
© Reuters
PSG saw a first-half penalty and red card for Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois overturned on VAR review.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane refused to criticise his side after they threw away a two-goal lead as Paris St Germain fought back to secure a dramatic draw in their Champions League clash at the Bernabeu.

Los Blancos were already secure of qualification to the knockout stage from Group A following the 1-1 draw between Brugge and Galatasaray in Tuesday's earlier kick-off.

In-form forward Karim Benzema put Real ahead before PSG saw a first-half penalty and red card for Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois overturned on VAR review.

Benzema made it 2-0 with a header in the 79th minute – but Kylian Mbappe swiftly bundled in a scrappy close-range effort to reignite the tie before substitute Pablo Sarabia lashed in a dramatic equaliser.

Substitute Gareth Bale – embroiled in another country-versus-club row over the international break – came on for the injured Eden Hazard, who could now be a doubt for Real's next El Classico clash with Barcelona on December 18 after sustaining an ankle injury.

The Wales forward then almost snatched a winner for the hosts in stoppage time when his curling free-kick hit the post.

The result means PSG – previously unbeaten without conceding a goal – will progress as group winners, regardless of the final round of European fixtures.

"I liked everything, completely, and everyone. We stayed with the game we played and we kept growing. The players deserved to win," Zidane said.

"It has been a display of a great game, not only for us, but they have also played very well.

"You have to be happy with the game. Then with the result you can not be happy.

"But you have to be happy with what we did for 80 or 85 minutes – if we play like this, I sign for it every day."

Zidane told a press conference: "It was total football, playing very well and creating chances.

"Sometimes football is a bit cruel, but we accept it. I keep all the good we did.

"We must also thank the fans who have supported us from the beginning. I had fun, I imagine them too."

Zidane, though, expressed concerns over Hazard's fitness, with the showdown against Barcelona on the horizon.

Real Madrid's Eden Hazard receives treatment
Eden Hazard picked up an ankle problem during the second half (Bernat Armangue/AP)

"It is more than a simple blow to the ankle, it is and a twist as well," the Real Madrid coach said.

"Hopefully it will be okay. I can't say it right now. They have now gone to do the tests and we will see."

PSG may well have felt justice was done in the end following the VAR controversy towards the end of the first half.

Courtois had initially been shown a red card for bringing down Mauro Icardi just inside the box and a spot-kick awarded.

However, there was a check by VAR and Portuguese referee Artur Dias chose to take a look at the pitch-side monitor.

He quickly decided Idrissa Gueye had pushed Marcelo in the back, so he promptly chalked off both the penalty and Courtois' dismissal to award Real Madrid a free-kick instead.

PSG coach Thomas Tuchel was less than impressed.

"I thought that rule was only to be used if the referee had made a clear wrong decision. It was not a big mistake," the German said.

"I do not think that the VAR should have called him at this time."

Tuchel, though, praised the character of his team to never give up on the result.

"We showed our mentality. We never gave up. After we got the first goal, it was easier for us," the PSG coach told a press conference.

"It's possible for us to improve. We have to stay calm. We have 13 points after five games and we have won the group."

ID:380746: cacheID:380746:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:16405:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in action for Arsenal on October 6, 2019
Read Next:
Barca, Real 'to move for Aubameyang'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool440012
2Sporting Lisbon431010
3Brest431010
4Inter Milan431010
5Monaco431010
6Barcelona43019
7Dortmund43019
8Aston Villa43019
9Atalanta42208
10Juventus42117
11Lille42117
12Man City42117
13Arsenal42117
14B. Leverkusen42117
15Celtic42117
16Dinamo Zagreb42117
17AC Milan42026
18Bayern42026
19Benfica42026
20Feyenoord42026
21Real Madrid42026
22Brugge42026
23Atletico42026
24PSV41215
25Sparta Prague41124
26Stuttgart41124
27PSG41124
28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
30Salzburg41033
31Bologna40131
32RB Leipzig40040
33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
35Red Star40040
36Slovan Bratislava40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!