Lionel Messi’s PSG down Real Madrid thanks to late Kylian Mbappe stunner in UEFA Champions League last-16 clash

PSG missed several chances and were thwarted by Real keeper Thibaut Courtois, who denied Kylian Mbappe on several occasions before superbly pushing away Lionel Messi’s spot kick in the second half.

PSG's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg match. (Photo: Reuters)

Kylian Mbappe scored a stunning individual goal in stoppage time to give Paris St Germain a 1-0 home victory over Real Madrid and spare Lionel Messi’s blushes after he had missed a penalty in their Champions League last-16, first leg on Tuesday (February 15). It took PSG 94 minutes to find the winner with a brilliant run by Mbappe, who danced in between two defenders and calmly slid the ball into the far corner to earn PSG a deserved victory after they had dominated the encounter.

PSG missed several chances and were thwarted by Real keeper Thibaut Courtois, who denied Mbappe on several occasions before superbly pushing away Messi’s spot kick in the second half. “It was a great game for us and I`m always ready to help my team, there are no distractions,” said Mbappe, who has now scored 13 goals in his last 13 Champions League matches.

“We have to be humble and the second leg is still open. It will be a hard game but we will have the advantage and are very confident.”

Paris have scored in their last 19 matches in the Champions League round of 16...#UCL pic.twitter.com/m7CERQ2II3 — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 15, 2022

Real Madrid finished the game with zero shots on target while PSG had eight, with almost 60 per cent of possession. Real will be without Casemiro and Ferland Mendy for the second leg at home on March 9. The pair were both shown yellow cards and will be suspended for collecting three yellows in the competition.

“Our counter-attack didn’t work today,” Courtois told reporters. “It’s hard to lose but the second leg is wide open. We have to win and we will try to do it in front of our fans, what is a great advantage.”

Courtois repeatedly frustrated Messi and Mbappe. His best save came early in the second half when Messi stepped up for the penalty after Mbappe had been fouled inside the area by Dani Carvajal. The Belgian stretched low to his left to stop the Argentinian`s shot with his hand.

But 30 minutes later Mbappe found the winner and Courtois could only watch as the ball went through his legs and into the corner of the net. “Mbappe is the best player in European football,” Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said. “We didn’t play well but we are not dead yet.”

(with Reuters inputs)