Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid came from behind to record a 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Adrien Rabiot sent PSG into a 33rd-minute lead at the Bernabeu, but a double from Ronaldo - including one from the penalty spot - and a late Marcelo effort saw the reigning champions turn things around in the Spanish capital.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live coverage of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from the Bernabeu, and it is a real cracker of a match as Real Madrid welcome Paris Saint-Germain for the first leg of their last-16 tie. Real Madrid have won this competition in each of the last two years, but PSG are fancied by many to land the crown this season. Stay tuned for all of the action from Madrid!
Tonight will be the seventh meeting between these two teams in European football. The pair last clashed during the group stage of the 2015-16 Champions League, and Real Madrid won 1-0 at the Bernabeu following a goalless draw in Paris. They also met in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup back in 1994, with French giants PSG winning 2-1 on aggregate.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. Both teams were in action at the weekend – Real Madrid beating Real Sociedad 5-2 in La Liga while PSG recorded a 1-0 victory at Toulouse in Ligue 1. Any changes? Let's have a look...
TEAMS!
REAL: Navas; Nacho, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo
PSG: Areola; Alves, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Yuri; Verratti, Lo Celso, Rabiot; Neymar, Cavani, Mbappe
Dani Carvajal's suspension means that Nacho starts at right-back for Real Madrid, while Isco is preferred to Gareth Bale alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the final third of the field. As expected, Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric will start as the midfield three. Is Bale's inclusion on the bench as a surprise? Isco has not exactly been in brilliant form in recent weeks.
As for PSG, Edinson Cavani, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe all feature in the final third, but there is no spot in the XI for either Angel di Maria or Thiago Silva as Giovani Lo Celso and Presnel Kimpembe are both handed starting roles. Spanish defender Yuri Berchiche is given the nod at left full-back.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in the Spanish capital. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane's side are not exactly enjoying the best of seasons, but they will enter the match off the back of a morale-boosting 5-2 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday night.
While the home win over Real Sociedad would have been welcomed, Real Madrid are still 17 points off La Liga leaders Barcelona. Los Blancos will not be retaining the Spanish title this season, and they were also dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Leganes. As a result, the Champions League is Real Madrid's only chance of landing one of the three major trophies they would have been after this season.
Real Madrid finished second to Tottenham Hotspur in Group H – winning four, drawing one and losing one of their six group matches to make the round of 16. It was the second year running that they finished as runners-up in their section, and Los Blancos have reached at least the semi-finals of the Champions League in each of the last seven seasons, which is a stunning record.
The Spanish giants are bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the eighth successive year, meanwhile, and will enter the match having won 33 of their last 39 home games in the Champions League – losing just once. Los Blancos have also lost just two of their last 25 European fixtures, although one of those came this season – away to Tottenham in the group stage.
Worryingly though, Real Madrid have only won two of their last six home games in all competitions. Indeed, Barcelona beat them 3-0 at the Bernabeu in the league before Christmas, and they have also lost to Villarreal and Leganes in recent weeks. There has been something not quite right with Los Blancos this season, but they are still a force to be reckoned with in this competition.
As for PSG, the French giants have won 21 of their 25 league fixtures this season to top Ligue 1. It appears almost certain that they are going to reclaim the French title, but the club's wealthy owners are desperate to make a serious impression in the Champions League. That could have occurred last season but for an incredible turnaround from Barcelona. What an occasion that was!
Indeed, PSG were on the receiving end of the biggest comeback in Champions League history last season when they lost 6-1 at Barcelona in the second leg of their last-16 tie, having won 4-0 in the home match. They have once again been drawn against a heavyweight at this stage of the competition, but seem better placed to deal with a similar situation this time around.
PSG set a new Champions League record when they scored 25 times in the group stage of this season's competition. Indeed, they breezed through their section – winning five of their six matches to finish ahead of Bayern Munich. That said, PSG did lose 3-1 at Bayern on matchday six, and there remain question marks over their credentials when it comes to facing the very best.
Tonight will also see two of the finest players in the world go head-to-head. This is Cristiano Ronaldo's competition, and he has already scored nine times in this season's Champions League. Neymar, meanwhile, hit six goals in six group matches, and the Brazilian has a stunning 27 goals in 26 matches in all competitions this season. Right, the time for talking is over. Kickoff in Madrid is next!
KICKOFF! PSG kick things off in the Spanish capital...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. It has the feeling of a semi-final or a final, not a last-16 first leg. Let's hope that the match produces. Game on!
Neymar has just been chopped to the ground by Kroos and Casemiro. The first of many I suspect! Neymar came off the left to drift inside, but Kroos and Casemiro were not letting him pass.
Half-chance for Real Madrid as Ronaldo meets a long-range Isco pass inside the PSG box, but the attacker's effort was always drifting wide of the far post. The home side have started well.
Nervy moments inside the PSG box as Areola palms a Kroos corner back into the penalty box, and Marquinhos almost turns into his own net. Real Madrid have been much the better team thus far.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Berchiche drives into a dangerous area inside the Real Madrid box, but the defender fires wide of the far post. Nervy work from Nacho there.
There have been some very late challenges in the opening 10 minutes of this match, and Marcelo does not look comfortable following a tackle from Alves. The Brazilian's screams can be heard.
Marcelo seems okay to continue, quite a quick recovery it must be said!
Another really dangerous moment for the home side as Neymar breaks down the left before delivering a low into Cavani, but Varane just about does enough. Nacho has been off-colour so far.
Still goalless, but it has been a very bright 15 minutes of football here. Real Madrid were the better team in the early moments, although PSG are now seeing more of the ball in the final third. Neymar has just swept wide from close range, but the Brazilian was in an offside position.
BOOKING! Neymar (PSG) is booked for a late challenge on Nacho.
There have been some very tasty challenges in the opening 18 minutes of this match. Neymar is on a yellow card, and I suspect Real Madrid's players will be looking to wind the Brazilian up here. PSG continue to grow into the contest as they enjoy more and more of the ball in the final third.
Isco delivers a dangerous cross into the PSG box, but Alves is on hand to make the clearance. Isco has been threatening for Real Madrid, but we have seen little from Benzema thus far tonight.
Quite a scrappy period of the match in the last couple of minutes as the referee is forced to intervene following some late challenges. Neymar is getting a bit frustrated in a wide area, and the Brazilian needs to be careful having already been booked. Modric is the latest player to be chopped by Lo Celso.
BOOKING! Lo Celso (PSG) is booked for a poor challenge on Isco, and Real Madrid have a free kick in a very dangerous position outside the away side's penalty box...
... CLOSE! Ronaldo misses the crossbar with his free kick.
SAVE! Super save from Alphonse Areola as the PSG goalkeeper keeps out a strike from Ronaldo, who had been released by Marcelo. The ball seemed to hit Areola in the face!
That Ronaldo chance came following a slip from Neymar, who has been all over the place in the opening 30 minutes. The Brazilian has been booked, and cannot seem to stay on his feet here.
Neymar strikes into the arms of Keylor Navas following a mazy run in the final third.
BOOKING! Isco (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Lo Celso.
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 PSG (Rabiot)
Breakthrough! PSG take the lead in the 33rd minute as Rabiot finds the back of the net with a smart finish after the ball had fallen for the Frenchman inside the Real Madrid box!
Oh my word. If Neymar has meant the back-heel into Rabiot then that is stunning!
PSG are not happy as Kroos chops Mbappe to the deck, and both sets of players have their handbags out. Real Madrid need to be very careful as the away side continued to press here.
Half-chance for Real Madrid as Ronaldo finds a pocket of space in the final third, but he fires over the PSG crossbar. It is the away supporters that can be heard inside the Bernabeu at the moment.
CLOSE! Cavani has one deflected just wide of the Real Madrid post as the visitors threaten once again. Real Madrid's defence has been all over the place tonight.
Dangerous moment inside the PSG box as Nacho's strike is not cleared and the ball stays in and around the penalty area, but the away side just about survive. Real Madrid have not had the luck thus far. The resulting corner is then headed clear by the excellent Kimpembe.
PENALTY REAL MADRID!
Real Madrid have a penalty as Lo Celso pulls Kroos to the ground inside the box!
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 PSG (Ronaldo)
Of course he scores! Ronaldo finds the bottom corner with a super penalty to score his 100th Champions League goal for Real Madrid! Big moment in this last-16 first leg!
It looked like Ronaldo might have double touched that penalty, but nothing was given!
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 PSG
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Rabiot sent PSG ahead with a clever finish in the 33rd minute, but the home side levelled in the final stages of the first half when Ronaldo stuck his penalty into the bottom corner of the net.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid shaded the first-half possession with 52%, while they had nine attempts - four of which were on target. PSG, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their four attempts. Three yellow cards to report thus far - Neymar and Lo Celso for PSG, and Isco for Real Madrid.
BENCH WATCH! PSG have a number of talented players on their bench tonight, with the likes of Di Maria, Draxler, Pastore and Diarra all capable of making an impact in the second period. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Asensio, Bale, Kovacic and Lucas.
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops in Madrid.
Real Madrid have been the livelier of the two teams in the early stages of the second period. Ronaldo has a half-chance when Isco delivers into the box, but Marquinhos does well to block.
CHANCE! Super chance for the away side as Neymar finds Mbappe inside the Real Madrid box, but the Frenchman cannot find a route past Navas, who makes a smart save!
This is a super game of football. Absolutely brilliant. End-to-end action in Madrid.
Mbappe races down the right before finding Alves, who swings a very dangerous cross into the Real Madrid box. Varane, however, just about does enough to make the clearance here.
CHANCE! Rabiot's goal-bound strike is blocked by Ramos as Real Madrid wobble at the back. PSG have gone up a gear in the last few minutes. Brilliant stuff again.
Half-chance for Real Madrid this time as Ronaldo breaks into the PSG box, but the away side manage to scramble the ball behind. The resulting corner is then headed clear by Marquinhos.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining, and the tempo of the match has not dropped. Both teams are trying to work the ball in the final third of the field, and both defences are wobbling. You do get the feeling that there is another goal in this first leg, but for who? Stay tuned!
We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. There is some serious talent on both benches tonight. Bale could yet decide this match for Real Madrid.
CHANCE! Isco delivers a dangerous low cross into Benzema, but Areola does well to make the claim. Neymar is then chopped to the ground by Casemiro on the counter-attack.
BOOKING! Rabiot (PSG) is booked for a poor challenge on Modric.
The tempo of this match is just incredible. Hardly time to draw breath, and that has been the case since play resumed in the second period. Real Madrid are about to take their free kick...
... Ronaldo's free kick strikes the wall before dropping behind.
PSG SUB! Meunier replaces Cavani for the away side.
Bale is going to come off the Real Madrid bench in the next few minutes. Isco to leave the field? PSG have made a defensive change, but that will release Neymar into a central position.
Lo Celso sees his low effort move wide of the Real Madrid post.
REAL MADRID SUB! Bale replaces Benzema for the home side.
Neymar has just smashed the ball at the referee, who holds his ear! Bizarre moment!
Obviously an accident from Neymar, but the referee took a blow in the ear. His earpiece actually fell out, but all is well. Play resumes, and we still have more than 20 minutes of football to play here.
Neymar releases Alves inside the Real Madrid box, but the right-back moves just too wide, and his cross is headed clear by Ramos. Off go Real Madrid down the other end of the field.
CHANCE! PSG centre-back Kimpembe sees his goal-bound effort blocked by Marcelo!
PSG are the better side at the moment as Real Madrid continue to lose the ball. There is no shape about the home team at the moment. Just Bale and Ronaldo stuck in the final third of the field.
CHANCE! Alves just fails to make contact on a low cross from Berchiche as PSG continued to threaten the Real Madrid goal! The home side are really struggling at the moment.
Bale heads down towards Ronaldo inside the PSG box, but Marquinhos manages to make the clearance. This has been an incredible game of football, and the tempo is still just as high as it was in the first minute. How on earth is the score still 1-1? Lucas is about to enter for the home side.
BOOKING! Nacho (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Neymar.
REAL MADRID SUBS! Lucas and Asensio replace Casemiro and Isco.
Real Madrid have an awful lot of attacking players on the pitch at the moment.
SAVE! Areola does well to keep out a poked effort from Bale.
Little over five minutes of the second period remaining, and PSG have just had a little spell with the ball. There has not been too much possession football tonight. More attack after attack!
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 PSG (Ronaldo)
Oh my word! Real Madrid score their second of the match in the 83rd minute as Ronaldo bundles the ball into the back of the net following a cross from Asensio! Areola palmed the ball back into the box, and it just hit Ronaldo before ending up in the goal!
PSG SUB! Draxler replaces Lo Celso for the away side.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 PSG (Marcelo)
And Real Madrid have a third! Incredible scenes in Madrid as Marcelo gets his name on the scoresheet. The left-back managed to turn a low Asensio cross past Areola from inside the box!
SAVE! Navas is down to keep out a close-range effort from Mbappe!
Areola manages to keep out a curling effort from Ronaldo.
BOOKING! Meunier (PSG) is booked for a foul on Asensio.
We are into the second of three additional minutes at the end of the match here.
Real Madrid have the ball as we enter the final stages of this match. The home side are going to win 3-1, which leaves things delicately poised ahead of the return fixture in Paris.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-1 PSG
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid recording a 3-1 win overt PSG in the first leg of their last-16 tie. What an incredible game of football in the Spanish capital. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live action once again!
