Group A's top two teams clashed at the Bernabeu in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Real Madrid sitting ahead of Paris Saint-Germain on goal difference entering the match in Spain.
PSG had a number of chances in the first 45 minutes, but it was Real that led at the break courtesy of Nacho's 35th-minute goal.
Chances were few and far between in the second period, however, and the hosts held on for all three points as they qualified for the round of 16 with two games to spare.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from the Spanish capital as Real Madrid welcome Paris Saint-Germain. Both of these teams have collected seven points in Group A and victory for either this evening could well secure their spot in the knockout stages with two games to spare, depending on the other result in the section. Let's hope for a good game in the Spanish capital!
Lets get straight to it, let me bring you the team news from Madrid...
TEAMS:
REAL: Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Jese, Ronaldo, Isco
PSG: Trapp; Aurier, Luiz, Silva, Maxwell; Motta, Verratti, Matuidi; Di Maria, Ibrahimovic, Cavani
As expected, both Keylor Navas and Sergio Ramos return to the team, but otherwise it is the same side that faced Las Palmas at the weekend, with Isco and Jese Rodriguez joining Cristiano Ronaldo in the final third. Karim Benzema misses out altogether with a hamstring problem despite having hopes of featuring in Madrid, but James Rodriguez is among the substitutes for the hosts tonight.
As for PSG, David Luiz has passed a late fitness test and starts alongside Thiago Silva in the heart of the defence, meaning that Serge Aurier switches to right-back. Lucas Moura was reportedly pushing for a spot in the XI, but the Brazilian has been named on the bench. It is a Bernabeu return for Angel di Maria, while the deadly duo of Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic both start in the final third.
Right, time for a bit of build-up then. Last week's goalless draw in Paris was the fifth meeting between the two teams in European competition. PSG had won two of the previous four, losing just once in the process. Their previous meetings were all in the knockout stages of European competition, meanwhile, and it was PSG that eliminated their Spanish rivals on both occasions.
In the 1992-93 season, PSG beat Real Madrid 5-4 on aggregate in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup and one season later, the French club were 2-1 aggregate winners at the same stage of the European Cup Winners' Cup. Not many teams have the better of it against Real, but PSG are one of them.
Rafael Benitez's appointment as head coach of Real Madrid raised a number of eyebrows, but there can be no criticising his record this season. Los Blancos have been without a number of key players throughout the early stages of the campaign, but they are still unbeaten in all competitions.
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The Spanish giants are going very nicely in La Liga, currently top of the pile on 24 points and they will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 win over Las Palmas at the weekend. There have been disappointing draws with Malaga and Sporting Gijon this season, but it has otherwise been plain sailing.
In the Champions League, comfortable wins over Shakhtar Donetsk and Malmo moved them on to six points in the group, before they drew in Paris last time out. In each of their last two European campaigns, Real Madrid have won each of their three home games – scoring 10 goals each time.
Speaking on BT Sport, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has just claimed that 'he would not be surprised' if PSG won the Champions League this season, but he also fancies Real Madrid to go far. Former teammate Rio Ferdinand, however, thinks that the French outfit are not good enough at the back to triumph in Europe this season. Rio is going for Real Madrid to win an 11th European Cup.
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Real Madrid have won 19 of their last 22 European games on home soil, while they have a strong record against French opposition – winning three of their last four games against Ligue 1 sides. In fact, they have not lost in their last eight against French opposition, winning five times in the process.
Even more impressive, Real Madrid are currently competing in the Champions League for the 19th consecutive season, which is the longest ever run. They have never failed to make it out of the group stages, meanwhile, and lifted their 10th European Cup in the 2013-14 campaign. What's more, they have made it to at least the semi-finals of this famous competition in each of the last five seasons.
As for PSG, the powers-that-be will want improvement in the Champions League this season, with the French outfit falling at the quarter-final stage of the competition in each of the last three campaigns. In fact, PSG have not gone beyond the quarters in the Champions League since the 1994-95 season.
The club's incredible investment was with a view to claiming this famous competition and they are expected to challenge in this campaign. PSG's record in Spain is not too strong, however, losing on five of their 11 visits. They were also knocked out by Barcelona in the quarter-finals last season, which included a 2-0 loss in Spain. It must be said that the atmosphere is really building as we approach kickoff.
Like Real Madrid, PSG are also unbeaten in all competitions this season, winning 13 and drawing three of their 16 fixtures. They opened their Group A campaign with a 2-0 win over Malmo, before putting three unanswered goals past Shakhtar. It would be fair to now consider PSG as real contenders for the Champions League alongside the usual suspects.
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PSG managed just one shot on target against Los Blancos in the reverse fixture, however, with the likes of Cavani and Ibrahimovic struggling to make an impact. All things considered, a draw would be another good result tonight, but Blanc has sent out an XI capable of winning the match, that is for sure.
A reminder of the PSG XI this evening...
H-1: La composition du Paris Saint-Germain !! #RealPSG pic.twitter.com/LJaGa9YXBI
— PSG Officiel (@PSG_inside) November 3, 2015
PREDICTION! You can check out my full preview of the game here. However, I will indeed provide a spoiler for my prediction - score draw in Madrid. Both of these sides have been excellent this season and I am struggling to separate them once again. Ronaldo to score in a 1-1 draw is my tip for this game.
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at the Bernabeu. There is a special atmosphere inside the stadium, let's hope that the football matches it tonight!
KICKOFF! There is no downplaying the importance of this match. It is the standout fixture in the Champions League this evening. Right, we are ready. It is the away side that get the first period underway...
... plenty of wonderful players on the field this evening, but who will produce? PSG will need big games from the likes of Ibrahimovic and Cavani if they are to triumph. The visitors have managed to enjoy some decent possession since taking kickoff, with Verratti and Motta gaining early touches here.
PSG look in the mood this evening as Verratti works the ball into Aurier, who seemingly has the legs to run Marcelo, but the right-back commits a foul and Real Madrid regain possession. As expected, both teams are exchanging the ball in the opening minutes of this match. It will take time to settle down.
Cavani dances into the Real Madrid box after good work from Matuidi, but Varane just gets a toe to the ball and the danger is cleared. PSG are showing their intent in the early moments in Madrid.
The first attempt on target comes from Ronaldo, but Trapp is down to make the save.
Well, seven minutes on the clock and PSG have arguably had the better of the game thus far. Both Cavani and Di Maria have shown good feet inside the box and only two strong challenges have prevented PSG from really threatening Navas's goal. Only that Ronaldo strike for Real thus far here.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances in the opening nine minutes, but the game has a very nice tempo, with both teams showing willingness to commit players in the final third. Both Di Maria and Cavani have been lively for PSG, while Ronaldo looks in the mood for the home side.
Play has to be stopped as Isco and Aurier clash heads after the PSG defender just beat the Spaniard to a super Ramos cross. Excellent defending from Aurier, but Isco has a really nasty gash.
Both players are back on their feet and will seemingly continue at the Bernabeu. It was a super cross from Ramos, but Aurier did enough to clear the danger. Still no clear opportunities, but there is an excellent tempo to the game, with PSG really forcing the issue. The signs are good going forward!
Players down all over the place at the moment as Verratti holds his ankle following a clash with Ronaldo. It has been a stop-start last few moments due to the head collision and Verratti incident.
Isco has actually sat back down in the dug-out and may well need replacing here...
Ibrahimovic turns outside the Real Madrid box before angling one towards goal, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. Isco is playing games with us now, he is up and looks ready!
PSG SUB! It is actually PSG that are forced into a change with Verratti limping off the field. His replacement is Rabiot, who will slot straight into the middle of the park. Stop-start at the moment.
The tempo of the match has been harmed following those couple of injuries, but Real Madrid are starting to move the ball in the final third, with Jese's pace causing problems. PSG, however, are committing so many players to each attack and Ibrahimovic looks in the mood to cause damage here.
CHANCE! The first real chance of the match comes to PSG as Aurier races down the right before feeding a super cross into Matuidi, but his effort is straight at Navas. It really should have been better from the French midfielder there! In the end, Navas was fairly comfortable when he should not have been!
CLOSE! Another chance for PSG, this time for Ibrahimovic, but after turning inside the Real Madrid box, the Swede can only curl one wide of the post. Really good spell for the visitors at the moment.
PSG are playing very, very well at the moment, with players breaking from midfield and Ibrahimovic looking dangerous each time he has possession of the ball. Another half-chance arrives when Aurier delivers from the right, but his cross is just too high for Ibra, who keeps possession out wide.
Di Maria fires one wide of the post as PSG come close once again in Madrid.
Rabiot fells Casemiro outside the box and Real Madrid have a free kick in a dangerous area...
... Ronaldo strikes towards goal, but Trapp gathers at the second time of asking.
Matuidi is a touch fortunate to gain a free kick after losing possession outside his own box under pressure from Ronaldo. The home supporters are not best pleased with their team at the moment as PSG continue to play the better football in the final third. Still goalless with 28 minutes on the clock.
CLOSE! A handball from Ramos presents PSG with a free kick some 40 yards from goal. As expected, it is Ibrahimovic that takes charge of the situation, but his effort just flies wide of the post!
Bad news for Real Madrid here - Marcelo needs to be replaced...
... REAL MADRID SUB! Nacho replaces Marcelo for the hosts.
Well, 35 minutes on the clock and the score is still 0-0. However, the better chances have fallen to PSG, there is no doubt that. Ibrahimovic has come close with a couple of efforts, while Matuidi should have done better from inside the Real Madrid box. Little over 10 minutes of the first half to play here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 PSG (Nacho)
Real Madrid take the lead with 35 minutes on the clock as Nacho squeezes one home at the far post after Kroos had an effort blocked. It was far from an easy finish, but the home side lead here!
POST! PSG come close to answering straight back here as Rabiot strikes one from distance, but his effort rattles against the post. Super strike, but the woodwork has come to Real's rescue here!
CLOSE! Another wonderful chance for the visitors as Maxwell delivers a sensational cross towards the far post, but neither Cavani nor Ibra make contact! All PSG at the Bernabeu!
It has been that kind of night for PSG thus far as they continue to search for an equaliser. You can sense the nervousness in the stands as another corner is delivered, but the danger is just about cleared by Varane. PSG will be scratching their heads if they enter the interval behind here.
BOOKING! Aurier (PSG) is booked for a late challenge on Ronaldo.
The resulting free kick is delivered by Ronaldo, but PSG manage to clear their lines.
Four added minutes at the end of this first period in Madrid.
It is all a bit frantic at the moment as Real Madrid attempt to keep possession in the latter stages of this first period. In truth, there is no way that PSG should be behind at this stage of the match. Nacho managed to squeeze one home, however, and that is the difference as things stand in Madrid.
Smart stop from Trapp as the PSG goalkeeper gets down to deny an Isco effort.
CHANCE! Another incredible chance for PSG as Di Maria picks out Cavani with a wonderful pass following a quick counter, but the striker cannot beat Navas from close range. Cavani got it so wrong!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 PSG
Good grief what a half of football in Madrid. Real Madrid have been second best for long spells of the opening 45 minutes, but they lead 1-0 on the night courtesy of a finish from Nacho, who managed to squeeze one past Trapp from a wide angle. Ibrahimovic, Cavani, Matuidi and Di Maria have all come close for the visitors, but it is Real Madrid that enter the break with a one-goal lead. Excellent half!
STATS! PSG have shaded the possession with 53%, while they have had eight attempts, but just one of those was on target. As for Real Madrid, they have hit the target with four of their five attempts thus far. There has also been just one booking in a first period that has flown wonderfully well.
BENCH WATCH! Both managers have already been forced into changes here, with Nacho replacing Marcelo for Real Madrid and Rabiot replacing Verratti for the visitors. James Rodriguez is on the Real Madrid bench tonight, however, while PSG have options in the shape of Lavezzi and Lucas Moura. It would be a surprise if either manager made another change before the start of the second half.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. It is the home side that resume the action in Madrid. More of the same in the capital please...
... no more changes from either manager, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of events. PSG will be smarting about that first period, but Real surely will be better in this half. It is so delicately poised, with that Nacho effort currently separating the two teams. Ferocious start to this half!
CHANCE! Another super chance for PSG as Di Maria finds space just inside the box, but Navas is down to make another smart save, before Ronaldo fires over down the other end. End-to-end!
Well, the half-time break has done nothing to harm the tempo of this match as both teams continue to commit numbers in the final third. It is Real Madrid currently passing and probing up top here.
Quiet couple of minutes in terms of chances, but PSG are now enjoying a spell of possession as they attempt to exploit the wide areas. Maxwell drives down the left before delivering, but Varane just makes first contact and the danger is cleared. Good pressure from the visitors at the moment here.
Another half-chance for Ibrahimovic as the Swede finds space outside the box, but his effort was always high and wide of the crossbar. Incidentally, as it stands, Real Madrid would qualify for the round of 16 this evening due to the fact that Malmo have gone 2-0 behind against Shakhtar tonight.
Good pressure from Real Madrid in the last couple of minutes as they suffer PSG outside the box before Isco strikes on goal, but Trapp is across to make a smart save. Good goalkeeping there.
Di Maria has had his problems over the last 12 months, but the Argentine has been excellent for PSG this evening - he seems fired up on his return to Madrid. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital and the hosts still lead courtesy of that Nacho effort in the first period.
Another PSG attack breaks down when Varane steps in to win the ball, but Jese cannot drive away from three blue shirts. James has just been sent on and that could be a change to come here.
REAL MADRID SUB! Lucas Vasquez takes the place of Jese for the hosts.
Not too much to report in terms of chances at the moment, but both teams are still committing plenty of numbers forward each time they counter. Isco has another strike for the hosts, but Krapp saves.
PSG threaten from another corner that is whipped towards the near post, but Cavani's header was always moving away from the target. Still 1-0 Real Madrid with 67 minutes on the clock here.
BOOKING! Luiz (PSG) is booked for a poor challenge on Isco.
The resulting free kick is delivered by Ronaldo and met by Ramos, but Trapp makes the save.
Real Madrid have certainly improved in this half, but there is no question that PSG are unfortunate to be behind at this stage of events. I still fancy that there is another goal in this contest tonight.
Di Maria continues to impress for PSG as he drifts inside before finding Maxwell, but there are enough white shirts back to clear the danger. As it stands, Real Madrid are qualifying for the round of 16.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and Real Madrid still lead in the Spanish capital. The second half has been a lot more even, but clear chances have been few and far between. Isco again finds a yard of space inside the PSG box, but it is a comfortable save from Trapp. Corner to Real.
PSG SUB! Lucas replaces Matuidi for the visitors.
PSG have just lost their way a little bit in the last couple of minutes and Blanc will hope that Lucas can add some sort of spark in the final third. There is still plenty of football to be played in Madrid.
Rabiot again has a go from outside the box, but Nacho is on hand to make the block as PSG start to turn the screw as we enter the final 10 minutes. Nothing much going forward for Real at the moment, but with Ronaldo, they will always have that threat in the final third. Still we play on in Madrid.
SAVE! Real Madrid come close to scoring a second as Isco works the ball into Kroos, who strikes one towards the bottom corner, but Trapp is on hand to make a super save!
REAL SUB! Kovacic replaces Isco for the hosts.
Real Madrid have been pinned back into their own half in the last couple of minutes, but PSG are struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. Di Maria is still picking up pocket of space, but the hosts are defending very well, which you would expect under the stewardship of Benitez.
Little under five minutes of football remaining and PSG are still probing, looking for that pocket in the final third. You sense that there might be one more big chance for the visitors in this game.
Even Modric is flying into sliding challenges as the home side keep their one-goal lead in tact. Vasquez wastes more moments with a run down the right, but his cross is collected.
BOOKING! Casemiro (Real Madrid) is booked for pulling Di Maria.
PSG have a free kick in a very dangerous position here...
... CROSSBAR! Di Maria hits the top of the crossbar for PSG!
Stunning strike from Di Maria, but his effort rattles the crossbar. Still Real lead!
Three additional minutes have been added here.
Ibrahimovic has a header that is easily collected by Navas as more seconds drift away here. It is just not going to happen for PSG, who have been so impressive for long spells of this game.
BOOKING! Navas (Real Madrid) is booked for time-wasting.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 PSG
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to a close and Real Madrid hold on for all three points. The result means that Los Blancos have qualified for the round of 16, while PSG, who were very unlucky, remain second in the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
