Real Madrid vs PSG LIVE result: Karim Benzema scores twice but PSG come back to earn draw
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Paris St Germain scored two late goals in the space of three minutes to battle back for a 2-2 draw at Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday and secure top spot in Group A at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real had sealed their place in the knockout stages for a record-extending 23rd successive year thanks to Club Bruges' 1-1 draw at Galatasaray earlier while PSG had also already qualified.
Yet they still served up a thrilling game with top spot on the line as well as pride after PSG had crushed Real 3-0 back in September.
Karim Benzema knocked into an empty net to give Real the lead in the 17th minute of his 100th Champions League start and the French forward doubled the advantage with a 79th minute header.
Yet Kylian Mbappe immediately reduced the deficit in the 81st minute, capitalising on a mistake from Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois before Pablo Sarabia equalised in the 82nd.
PSG's fightback added to concern in the stands after Real winger Eden Hazard hobbled off in the second half with an ankle injury, although substitute Gareth Bale almost snatched a winner when he struck the post in added time from a free kick.
PSG top Group A with 13 points from five games while Real are second on eight. Club Bruges, who Real visit in their final game next month, are third on three points, while Galatasaray, who will travel to PSG, are bottom with two.
Real were cruising in the first half but the game looked set to be shaken up when PSG were awarded a penalty and Courtois was shown a red card for hauling down Mauro Icardi in the area.
But the referee overturned both decisions following a VAR review, and awarded Real a free kick instead for a foul on Marcelo in the build-up.
Madrid, who had won five of their previous six games, produced a dominant display from start to finish but were let down by slack defending in the closing stages.
They should have killed the game off long before Benzema's second but were repeatedly denied by their former, much-loved keeper Keylor Navas.
The Costa Rican, who won three consecutive Champions League crowns with Real before moving to Paris at the start of the season, made 10 saves, including a stunning block to deny Benzema from point-blank range.
Reuters
What time is the game?
The game kicks off at 8pm on Tuesday November 26.
The game is being broadcast on BT Sport ESPN with coverage getting underway at 8pm.
Subscribers can also stream the game live online via the BT Sport website.
Predicted XIs
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Hazard, Benzema
PSG: Navas, Meunier, Silva, Kimpembe, Bernat, Marquinhos, Verratti, Gueye, Di Maria, Mbappe, Neymar.
What are the odds?
Real Madrid 5/4
Draw 11/4
PSG 9/5
Bruges have equalised against Galatasaray with three minutes of added time to go, can they claim a winner?
Following the conclusion of this game Real Madrid and PSG will kick off, here's how to watch:
Just under 10 minutes until kick off between Real Madrid and PSG. Bruges have failed to defeat Galatasaray which means that both teams have qualified for the knockout stages.
Tonight's match could determine who tops the group, where's your money going? Real or PSG?
No revenge for Real?
"We aren't looking to get revenge after what happened earlier in the group," said Zidane.
"But we want to play a good game of course and maintain our form.
"It's the kind of game where you can confirm you're on a good run. We want to win because we're at home and we want to play good football."
The teams leave the tunnel and head out onto the pitch. Real Madrid vs PSG is next...
Real Madrid 0 - 0 PSG
Kick off: Real Madrid start the match. It's raining and wet in Madrid as PSG win a throw in on the left wing and whip the ball into the box. It comes into Icardi but is headed out to Gueye who shoots but Sergio Ramos makes the block.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 PSG
3 mins: Mbappe wins a free kick on the right wing as Sergio Ramos fouls him. Di Maria delivers a poor ball into the box and it is cleared quite easily.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 PSG
6 mins: Isco scuffs a cross but wins a corner. Kroos sends it into the box and Ramos loses his marker. He jumps and wins the header but doesn't keep it down and the ball goes over the crossbar.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 PSG
9 mins: Icardi has a half chance to open the scoring. Bernat gets into some space over on the left wing and sends a dangerous ball into the six-yard box. Icardi tussles with Varane but gets to the ball and puts it past the wrong side of the post.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 PSG
12 mins: Meunier plays a solid ball in behind the defence and Mbappe makes a great run to get onto the ball. He brings it into the box and crosses it to Icardi. The cross is quite forceful and Icardi heads the ball over the goal.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments