Real Madrid qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League after beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 on Tuesday.

The only goal of the match came in the first period, with Nacho finding the back of the net for the hosts.

PSG, who had a number of opportunities, especially in the first period, remain second in Group A, meanwhile, four points clear of nearest challengers Shakhtar Donetsk.

Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two teams.

Match statistics

REAL MADRID
Shots: 13
On target: 9
Possession: 41%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 15

PSG
Shots: 16
On target: 3
Possession: 59%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 14

Was the result fair?

In truth, Real Madrid were fortunate to emerge with all three points from this match. So much happened in the contest that it seems incredible that only one goal was scored, but PSG really should have been ahead at the interval. A fortunate effort from Nacho broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, but Blaise Matuidi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Angel di Maria and Edinson Cavani will all feel that they should have registered at some point this evening. To be honest, Los Blancos did have to ride their luck.

The hosts did improve in the second period, however, especially defensively and there were not too many opportunities after the break, especially not as clear-cut as those that arrived in the first half. The statistics show that Real Madrid had nine attempts on target - six more than PSG - but the majority of those were fairly comfortable for the away side's goalkeeper. All things considered, there is no question that PSG deserved at least a point, but their performance would have sent out a message.

Real Madrid's performance

Rafael Benitez could welcome back the likes of Keylor Navas and Sergio Ramos to his XI, while there was a spot on the bench for James Rodriguez. This is still far from Benitez's first-choice team, however, and with that considered, the Spaniard is doing a very good job at the helm. It is often said that luck is needed to win big trophies, though, and the Spanish giants had their fair share of it tonight. Approaching the half-hour mark, PSG could well have been three goals ahead at the Bernabeu.

Matuidi and Ibrahimovic both came close to making the breakthrough, but it was Nacho who somehow squeezed one past Kevin Trapp to open the scoring. It was fortuitous to say the least, with Toni Kroos's tame effort deflecting into the path of Nacho and his strike seemed to take an age to find the bottom corner. Adrien Rabiot then hit the post for PSG late in the first period before Cavani missed a sitter after going through on goal. Real Madrid somehow managed to make the break still ahead.

In fairness, the second half was a lot closer as Real Madrid closed the space in the final third, but PSG still had chances and Di Maria rattled the crossbar from a free kick late on. There was little from Cristiano Ronaldo on the night, but Isco had a fine game in the final third and Los Blancos did have chances to add to their total. It was far from a convincing attacking performance from the Spanish side, but defensively, they were very strong, especially in the second half. With qualification now secure and players returning to fitness, things are looking good for Real Madrid and indeed for Benitez, whose critics are fading.

PSG's performance

After failing to produce their best in the goalless draw in Paris last month, head coach Laurent Blanc would have wanted a response in the return match. He got the performance, but unfortunately for the French club, not the result. Without going over old ground, PSG were extremely unlucky to lose this match. On another night, they would have run out comfortable winners, but for all the praise that should head their way, just three shots on target from 16 is a disappointing statistic.

Di Maria, who was excellent on his return to Madrid, helped set up the first real chance of the match, but after Serge Aurier played in Matuidi, the Frenchman fired straight at Navas. Ibrahimovic then twice came close in quick succession, before Nacho managed to make the breakthrough. The goal did not harm PSG's flow, however, and they had three more chances late in the first period, with Rabiot hitting the crossbar and Cavani missing a one-on-one with Navas. At this level of football, missed opportunities often cost teams and Blanc will be reeling from his team's inability to breach the Real Madrid goal.

There is no question that the second half was a lot closer and when it mattered most, Ibrahimovic and Cavani faded. Di Maria continued to create, however, and the Argentine was desperately unlucky not to level late on, with his super free kick rattling the crossbar. If it were a boxing match, Real Madrid might well have shaded the second half, but PSG were so dominant and so impressive in the first. While the result is a disappointment, their performance suggested that they are ready to make a serious impression this season as they bid to go beyond the quarter-finals for the first time since the 1995-96 season.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Angel di Maria: It has been a difficult last 12 months for the Argentine, both on and off the field, but this was much more like it from the former Manchester United attacker. On his return to the Bernabeu, the 27-year-old, who was clearly fired up, had a super game. On another night, he would have finished the game with a couple of assists and a goal, but luck was not with the midfielder this time around. He was just unrecognisable from the player that struggled in England last season.

Biggest gaffe

Cavani has been among the goals for PSG in the early part of the season, but the Uruguay international's credentials at the top level have been questioned for some time now and he again failed to produce in a big game. The striker had a wonderful chance to level the scores late in the first half after being put through by Di Maria, but he got it horribly wrong under pressure from Navas, fluffing his lines from close range.

Referee performance

Despite what was riding on the match, it was not actually too difficult a game to referee. English official Mark Clattenburg issued just four yellow cards in Madrid and all the decisions were fairly straightforward. Not noticing a referee's performance is often a good sign and that was the case here.

What next?

Real Madrid: Los Blancos return to La Liga action away to Sevilla on Sunday. Their next Champions League match will take place on November 25, with a trip to Shakhtar on the agenda.

PSG: PSG return to domestic action at the weekend with a home game against Toulouse. Their next Champions League fixture is also on November 25, against Ibrahimovic's old club Malmo in Sweden.