Paris, Paris and Paris again
Overall, Paris made the better impression, was more often on the ball, faster, more imaginative. And with Mbappé, he had the man on the team who always caused danger. After a great chip pass from Lionel Messi, Real keeper Thibault Courtois had to prevent the 23-year-old from scoring the opening goal (18th).
The game then became more disorganized, also because Real got into the duels better. Up front, however, Madrid continued to offer little or nothing – the only shot on target towards Paris was a header from Casemiro (previously saw a third yellow card and will be suspended in the second leg) in injury time.
Courtois caught a very strong evening
The picture didn’t change in the second half. Paris made the game, Madrid withdrew – and could thank Courtois again for not punishing the defensive style of play. In the 51st minute, the Belgian international goalkeeper again parried a low shot from Mbappé in an outstanding manner.
The game took place almost exclusively in the “Royal” half, returnee Karim Benzema was completely missing the connection to the game given the passive performance of coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
After an hour, Paris then missed the greatest chance – and this was made possible again by the man who had his feet in the game at all dangerous moments. Mbappé dribbled against Carvajal in the penalty area, played the ex-Leverkusener, who then brought him down – penalty. But it wasn’t Mbappé who competed, but Messi – and he found his master in Courtois. It remained at 0:0.
Mbappé sets it up in stoppage time
In the 73rd minute, PSG drew their next trump. Neymar celebrated his comeback after a three-month injury break – cheers in the sold-out Prinzenpark. But would the fans be allowed to celebrate a goal from their team?
Not for now. First Messi put a free kick just outside the goal (75th), then Mbappé missed a cross from the world footballer by a few centimeters (77th), a little later the Frenchman slid past the far post (78th).
But at the last second, cheers broke out. Mbappé pulled on again, left the entire Real defense standing and this time didn’t give Courtois a chance when he graduated. 1-0 for Paris, the winning goal, salvation in the 94th minute.