Paris Saint-Germain managed to win against their guest Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday evening, with a last-gasp goal from their young star Kylian Mbappé during stoppage time. This victory was significant for PSG against Real Madrid, especially as it came in the dying moments of the match when Mbappé broke through the defense and struck the ball into the net past goalie Thibaut Courtois.
Both teams started the match with attacking line-ups, featuring Messi, Mbappé, and Di María for PSG, while Neymar, returning after a lengthy absence since the end of November, was on the bench. Real Madrid adopted a 4-3-3 formation with Benzema, Vinícius Júnior, and Asensio leading the attack, supported by veterans Casemiro, Kroos, and Modrić.
The encounter commenced cautiously from both sides, considering the attackers' capabilities to launch dangerous counterattacks at any moment. PSG took the initiative more often, led by the lightning-fast Mbappé. It was he who set up the first attacking move for his team when he broke free from Carvajal in the fifth minute and passed to Di María, who shot over the goal.
PSG maintained their dominance as Real Madrid's midfield appeared to be retreating, while their attackers, particularly on the left flank, increased their activity. In the 18th minute, Mbappé received a precise pass behind the defense from Messi, but Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois intervened just in time to avert the danger.
Real Madrid responded with few weak chances, including Vinícius’s run down the left wing in the 30th minute, but he was stopped by Hakimi, earning a free kick that resulted in nothing. The first half concluded with a corner from Real Madrid, but PSG’s defense successfully cleared it. Italian referee Daniele Orsato indicated the end of regular time without goals, despite PSG controlling the play and holding 61 percent possession against their Spanish rivals, who focused on regrouping and halting the movements of Mbappé and Messi.
PSG confirmed their intent to build attacks to breach Courtois’s net, as Mbappé came close to scoring in the 50th minute with a fierce shot inside the box that Courtois brilliantly saved. In the 60th minute, Mbappé pierced Real Madrid's defense and made his way into the penalty area only to be clearly fouled by Carvajal, leading the referee to award a penalty kick. However, Messi failed to convert it, with Courtois shining yet again.
After Neymar replaced Di María in the 72nd minute, the pace of the game picked up, and a golden opportunity arose for Kylian Mbappé in the 77th minute, but his shot hit Courtois's left post and went out for a goal kick.
As everyone expected the match to end in a goalless draw, Mbappé managed to gift his team and their fans a winning goal in stoppage time.
