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As it happenedended

Real Madrid vs PSG LIVE result: Karim Benzema scores twice but PSG come back to earn draw

Michael Jones
Tuesday 26 November 2019 16:14 EST
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Real Madrid meet PSG in the Champions League tonight
Real Madrid meet PSG in the Champions League tonight (AP)

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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

Real Madrid 1 - 0 PSG - Benzema

17 mins: GOAL! Great build up play from Madrid. Hazard shrugs off two or three defenders to get the ball to Valverde. He links up with Carvajal who plays the ball into the box. Isco meets the pass and shoots hitting the left hand post. The ball bounces of the upright to Benzema who blasts the ball into the net.

Michael Jones26 November 2019 20:17

Real Madrid 1 - 0 PSG

21 mins: PSG looked to have control of the game. They've caused problems for Madrid's back line especially win Mbappe gets in behind but one sweeping move has cut them apart and given the home side the lead. Can they respond? 

Michael Jones26 November 2019 20:21

Real Madrid 1 - 0 PSG

24 mins: Real Madrid win a corner and Kroos puts it into the box. Navas comes out and punches it strongly away. Mbappe gives chase but doesn't catch up to the ball before it skids out of play. 

Michael Jones26 November 2019 20:24

Real Madrid 1 - 0 PSG

27 mins: Navas makes a flying save as he dives to his left to deny Kroos who shoots from the edge of the box. PSG can't get hold of the ball. 

Michael Jones26 November 2019 20:28

Real Madrid 1 - 0 PSG

30 mins: Real Madrid get forward on the counter attack with Marcelo the furthest up the pitch. Benzema has the ball and he passes it to Hazard. Hazard tries to take on the two centre-backs but loses the ball. 

Mbappe runs the ball into the box from the left and sends the ball into the six-yard box. Courtois pushes it away before Ramos can clear.

Michael Jones26 November 2019 20:31

Real Madrid 1 - 0 PSG

33 mins: PSG win a corner and waste it completely by booting it straight out for a goal kick. 

Hazard is playing brilliantly. He keeps possession of the ball again under threat of two defenders and sets up Kroos. He hits a dipping ball that Navas spills and recovers before any white shirted players get near the ball. 

Michael Jones26 November 2019 20:34

Real Madrid 1 - 0 PSG

36 mins: Beautifully worked football from PSG sees Di Maria slip the ball through the middle of the box for Mbappe. He races to the ball and wins, Icardi is free in the box but Mbappe goes for goal and Courtois makes a strong one handed save to deny him. 

Michael Jones26 November 2019 20:37

Real Madrid 1 - 0 PSG

39 mins: A lot of one touch passes from Real Madrid gets the ball to Casemiro who shoots from range and has his shot deflected out for a corner.

Kroos drills it low into the box as he sees Marcelo's run. Marcelo gets his shot through the wall of defenders but Navas makes a reactionary save to repel the ball. 

Michael Jones26 November 2019 20:41

Real Madrid 1 - 0 PSG

42 mins: Scenes. Total scenes.

The ball is played up to Icardi who runs onto the ball as it comes into the box. Courtois comes bursting off his line but doesn't get to the ball in time. He brings down Icardi and the referee blows for a free kick before showing Courtois a red card.

VAR checks the footage and sees Courtois has taken Icardi down in the area so a penalty is given The referee then goes to look at the replay and sees a foul in the build up to the penalty so he rescinds the red card and gives Real Madrid a free kick.

Michael Jones26 November 2019 20:46

Real Madrid 1 - 0 PSG

45 mins: Three minutes added on at the end of the first half. VAR comes to the rescue for Real Madrid.

Marcelo was fouled in the build and the referee missed it so he brought back the play. 

Michael Jones26 November 2019 20:48

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