Mueez Ajao
– Kylian Mbappe scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Paris Saint-Germain beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the Champions League round-of-16 first-leg on Tuesday.
– Lionel Messi had earlier seen a penalty saved by Thibaut Courtois as PSG dominated but looked set to head into the second leg frustrated.
– Mbappe, linked with a summer transfer to Madrid, was a constant threat against 13-time winners Madrid.
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– After only five minutes the France international twisted and turned Dani Carvajal down the left wing before fizzing a ball across the face of goal that Angel Di Maria put over the bar from close range.
– On 18 minutes, Mbappe got behind Carvajal to pick up a lofted ball over the top but scuffed his shot allowing Thibaut Courtois to save with his feet.
– Within five minutes of the restart Courtois was called upon to deny Mbappe again, the Madrid goalkeeper getting down to prevent a well-struck effort after more PSG pressure.
– Mbappe was fouled in the penalty area by Carvajal in the 61st minute allowing Messi an opportunity to score from 12 yards but the former Barcelona player hit a tame effort that Courtois comfortably knocked away.
– PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino reacted by introducing Neymar for the final 20 minutes and in the end it was a backheel from the Brazil international that opened up Madrid and allowed Mbappe to cut in from the left and finish in clinical fashion to decide the game.
