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Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) beat Real Madrid 1-0 on February 15, 2022, in the knockout stages of the Champions League, thanks to a goal from Kylian Mbappé during added time.
This eleventh confrontation between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid in the European football club cups almost ended in a 0-0 draw. The fault, in large part, of Madrid residents who came to thwart their opponents, this February 15, 2022, in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League.
A Real Madrid grouped in defense
In the first period, PSG thus dominates the debates but without being really threatening. On the left flank, Kylian Mbappé in particular is untenable. In the 5th minute, the striker makes the difference and crosses hard towards winger Angel Di Maria whose failed recovery goes over the frame. In the 17th minute, on a subtle deep pass from striker Lionel Messi, Mbappé resists defender Daniel Carvajal. But the opposing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois averts the danger. A Courtois who is still vigilant on a center shot from the left side Nuno Mendes (23rd).
Thus, for 45 minutes, the Parisians have control of the ball. But they are struggling, despite the technical quality of Messi and midfielder Marco Verratti or the overflows of the right side Achraf Hakimi, to gain speed from the very grouped Madridians who defend low.
Lionel Messi rate a penalty
In the second half, PSG continued their siege of the opposing cage. Kylian Mbappé is once once more testing Courtois’ reflexes with two shots (50th, 56th), just like Messi (53rd). On the hour mark, the Parisians think they have done the hardest part when Mbappé snatches a penalty for a foul by Carvajal and Messi shoots it hard and low. But Courtois dives on the right side and pushes the ball away (62nd).
Mauricio Pochettino, the coach of Paris Saint-Germain, then brought in striker Neymar (73rd) to try to make the difference. The Brazilian and his partners work on it for the remaining twenty minutes.
Kylian Mbappé snatches victory
They are rewarded for it during additional time when Mbappé, who forces the passage on the left, slips the ball between the legs of Courtois: 1-0, 90th + 4. Real did not win their tactical bet and will therefore have to reverse the trend in the return match on March 9 in Madrid.