Madrid/Manchester (AP) – Karim Benzema ended Paris Saint-Germain’s dream of winning the Champions League for the first time very early.
Thanks to a hat-trick by the captain (61st minute, 76th, 78th), Real Madrid beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 (0-1) in the top game of the round of 16 and thus turned the 0-1 defeat out of the game first leg The opening goal of Kylian Mbappé (39th), who was courted by Real, was not enough for the initially superior guests to progress.
Together with the royals, Manchester City advanced to the next round. City were almost certain of a quarter-final ticket before the round of 16 second leg against Sporting Lisbon. After the 5-0 in the first meeting in mid-February, the English were handed a 0-0 this time. It was only spectacular in Madrid that evening.
Paris was initially the better team in the second edition of the knockout round. The royals couldn’t get the super storm of the French under control, especially in the first round. Mbappé, Neymar and Lionel Messi kept getting good chances that Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was able to fend off at first. But then, as in mid-February, Mbappé, who was courted by Real, struck again. After a fine pass from Neymar, the 23-year-old shot into the near corner.
Benzema show leads to victory
Everything seemed to be on the way for PSG – until Benzema’s big performance followed. First the 34-year-old converted after a blunder from PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, then he completed it after superb assist from Luka Modric – and just two minutes later he completed his hat-trick with another right foot. At least now the Santiago Bernabeu was upside down. PSG, on the other hand, have to wait to win the premier class for the first time.
In contrast, there were hardly any major highlights in Manchester. City coach Pep Guardiola even brought on his third goalkeeper Scott Carson midway through the second half to give him some match practice in the premier class. The draw for the quarterfinals will take place on March 18th. Liverpool FC and Bayern Munich had previously made it into the next round.