Real Madrid 3-1 PSG summary: score, goals, highlights | 1/16 Champions League
Real Madrid 3-1 PSG (3-2): as it happened
Headlines:
- Real Madrid turn game on head and are through to UCL quarter-finals
- GOAL: 78' - Benzema hat-trick has Madrid ahead in the tie
- GOAL: 76' - Benzema scores to level it up on aggregate
- GOAL: 61' - Benzema levels it up on the night
- Mbappé has another goal ruled out for offside
- GOAL: 39' - Mbappé puts PSG ahead with solo counter attack
- Mbappé scores but offside flagged in build-up; Benzema goes close with curler from distance
- Teams that have already qualified for the UCL quarter-finals
Follow all the action as it happens below:
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Well, that was incredible!
Thanks for joining us on the rollercoaster ride at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid are in the Champions League quarter-finals after defeating PSG 3-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.
See you next time!
The Champions League has reached the decisive phase and by next week we'll know which eight teams will be in the quarter-finals looking to make it to the final of Europe's biggest tournament.
Paris Saint-Germain again suffered an embarrassing European collapse on Wednesday night, surrendering a two-goal aggregate advantage in the final half hour of their Champions League last-16 tie with a Karim Benzema-inspired Real Madrid.
It was the third time in the last six years that PSG have exited the competition’s knockout rounds after throwing away an aggregate lead of two goals or more.
Karim Benzema was the man of the night, with a hat-trick taking Real Madrid into the quarter-finals.
Messi misses out on Champions League again
Leo Messi joined PSG to win the Champions League. Tonight will be a painful one for the Argentine as he flies back to Paris with his PSG team-mates.
The French side can still win the Ligue 1 title, but that was not the reason Messi joined PSG from Barcelona. He went to have a chance of winning the Champions League.
(Photo: Getty Images)
PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino gave his thoughts toMovistar post-match:
"It's not easy to explain what happened tonight. There was a clear foul on Donnarumma from Benzema. In the 10 or 15 minutes after we conceded, we struggled.
"With a 1-1 draw we knew we'd be through. For 60 or 70 minutes we were the better side.
"I think Madrid had nothing to lose and they went for it. It's clear that we felt that impact, we didn't know how to manage the game after that.
"I'm not worried about the future, what will be will be."
Becoming European champions is one of the dreams for any professional footballer. Many greats of the Beautiful Game have finished their career without this accolade, even some teams deemed to be the best in a given season fail to make it past the opposition en route to Ol’ Big Ears. But every year the objective remains the same.
The venue of the 2022 Champions League final had to be changed at late notice, and now the focus is on the French capital of Paris, where the successor to Chelsea (if indeed they don’t retain it) will be crowned.
We now know half the teams that will be in Friday's draw...
Benzema: the oldest player to score a UCL hat-trick
Karim Benzema tonight became the oldest player to score a Champions League hat-trick.
There were just 106 seconds between the Frenchman's second and third goals this evening.
Carlo Ancelotti post-match:
"It's a very special night. It was really tough when they scored but after that we pressed them high and scored our first goal from it.
"The fans also pushed us and that helped. We're so happy. It has been a spectacular night.
"We started well but then we struggled to press them because they kept the ball well and we suffered. We also struggled one v one with Mbappé.
"After scoring the first goal it totally changed everything and the fans helped us get over the line.
"Rodrygo and Camvinga came in, gave us fresh legs and that helped us push on."
Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueño spoke to Movistar after Real Madrid's 3-1 win over PSG.
"The fans were incredible tonight. PSG were very good in the first half but this has been a magical night for us.
"We had courage, we had faith, and we are in the quarter-finals.
"Mbappé is so determined, He has been a really tough opponent... He's a PSG player. We just have to enjoy this.
"We're all so proud here tonight."
Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick in 17 minutes for Real Madrid in the second half against PSG in their Champions League round of 16 second leg game at the Bernabéu to win them the game and put them in the next round.
Real Madrid came into the game 1-0 down, having conceded late on to Real Madrid target Mbappé in the first leg in Paris, and things looked bleak for Ancelotti's side when Mbappé scored in the 39th minute this evening to make it 2-0 on aggregate.
Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Champions League round of 16 second leg between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain at the Santiago Bernabéu.
(Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
Hat-trick hero Karim Benzema post-match:
"It was a really tough game but we deserve to go through tonight. We lost the first leg but with these fans, we've given everything here until the end to win.
"We know they like to have the ball. We had chances and we scored on the counter. I think our mental strength came to the fore in the end. With that sort of pressure we put on teams, we can beat anyone. The fans have also helped us tonight.
"Every game is a final for us. Real Madrid is alive."
Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick in 17 minutes!
Karim Benzema scored a second half hat-trick to send Madrid into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Summary at full time: One game for an hour, another entirely thereafter
For the first hour at the Bernabéu, it really was a fine second-leg performance from PSG. They had got themselves in front on the night thanks to the magnificent Mbappé, and were keeping Madrid at arm’s length at the other end of the pitch.
All that changed with one Donnarumma dilly-dally. PSG utterly fell apart. - WA
Real Madrid have beaten PSG 3-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.
It's an incredible comeback from Los Blancos, who were trailing 2-0 on aggregate at the break.
FT: Real Madrid 3-1 PSG
Madrid are through!
Goalkick for Madrid. Courtois takes his time...
Modric slows it right down and spreads it wide.
PSG need a goal!
Vinicius is down again after a tackle from Marquinhos.
There will be four additional minutes!
Verratti is over to help Vinicius stretch his hamstring.
Messi hits a free-kick and it just goes over from 30 yards.
He put one from a similar position in the top bins at the weekend...
Modric sends a shot flying from 25 yards.
Lucas Vazquéz is booked for an intelligent foul as Mbappé runs through the Madrid midfield.
Summary with three to go (plus stoppage time): PSG in pieces
What has happened to PSG? They have completely gone to pieces. The visitors looked in such control until that Donnarumma rick. Now Madrid look like scoring every time they come forward! Any lingering doubts Mbappé might have had about swapping Paris for Madrid are being given a thorough extinguishing, one would imagine. - WA
Vinicius fouls Gueye and it's a free out for the Ligue 1 club.
PSG haven't looked like scoring though...
Rodrygo hits the free into the wall. It then falls back out to him and he fires wide. Madrid are winning 3-2 so a PSG goal will take it to extra time.
Kimpembe fouls Rodrygo on the edge of the box. It's a free-kick to Madrid. This will suit them nicely.
Vinicius takes it down the left, looking to slow it right down.
Kimpembe is booked for throwing the ball at Vinicius, who proceeds to laugh in his face.
Summary after 80 minutes: Blimey!
What on earth is going on here?! PSG seemed to have weathered that post-goal storm, getting themselves back up the field and knocking the ball about once more. But suddenly, they looked rattled at the back again.
Vinícius really should have levelled the tie up with that chance from point-blank range, before Modric produced a real peach of a pass to slip Benzema into shooting space in the box. He showed Vinícius how it’s done.
And then… it’s another sublime finish from Benzema a minute later to put Madrid ahead on aggregate!
As the late, great Juanito said, 90 minutes is a long time at the Bernabéu.
Barring a late turnaround here, I would advise Donnarumma against reading the French newspapers tomorrow. Another PSG bottle job is in the offing! - WA
The Santiago Bernabeú is absolutely rocking. It was Marquinhos who played it into Benzema and he hits it first time to get his hat-trick. Two defensive mistakes from PSG have really cost them...
You can never rule them out at the Bernabéu... but yes, we still have over 10 minutes left!
Benzema scores two goals in two minutes to turn the game on its head.
Real Madrid are leading 3-2 on aggregate...
Benzema tucks it away from just inside the box to score straight away... this is just incredible!
Real Madrid lead 3-1!!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!
BENZEMA HAS A HAT-TRICK......
Benzema fires past Donnarumma. It takes a slight deflection off Marquinhos on the way in.
Goooooooooooooooooooool!!
IT'S BENZEMA AGAIN!!!
Alaba and Nacho have changed positions. Alaba has moved to left-back to give some more presence down the left wing for Madrid as they look for the equaliser.
Modric goes to ground and wins the ball from Messi with an excellent tackle. At 36, he still has it all.
It sits up, maybe too high, but he's leaning back and the young Brazilian sends it over. A glorious chance.
He really has to score from there...
Vinicius blasts it over from six yards! What a miss!
Gueye, the man who almost ruled Mbappé out of this game, is on for the last 20 minutes. The game has lost its flow somewhat with the changes.
PSG change:
OFF Paredes
ON Idrissa Gueye
Summary at the midway point of the second half
Thanks to a combination of Donnarumma having an utter ‘mare, and the lack of the away-goals rule, Real Madrid are right back in this tie! PSG looked in complete control until that howler from the PSG keeper; since that absolute gift of an equaliser, Madrid suddenly have the Frenchmen on the rack.
Territorially, not much has changed; the game was mostly being played in the PSG half before Benzema levelled. But the threat Madrid now carry is far, far greater. - WA
Real Madrid have just over 20 minutes to rescue this. Will PSG hold on?
It looks like Benzema is limping. Paredes catches him with the studs. Time will tell...
Nacho crosses and wins a corner for Madrid. Modric whips it in but it's headed away. Madrid have all the momentum.
The ball comes back into the box. Militao heads it down to Vinicius, who hits the target. It's a free out as Militao pushes his way through to set up Vinicius.
Benzema's header flies just wide. Madrid have their tails up now.
It's now 2-1 to PSG on aggregate.
Real Madrid 1-1 PSG
Donnarumma loses the initial ball after pressure by Benzema, which leads to the goal.
Vinicius squares it to Benzema, who fires home from eight yards out to make it 1-1 on the night.
GAME ON!!!
Gooooooooooooooooooool!!!!
BENZEMA!!!
Carvajal is booked for taking Mbappé out on the touchline. The most obvious yellow card you'll see all week.
Summary after (nearly) an hour: Madrid huff and puff, Mbappé is magical
Again Real Madrid have an offside flag to thank for denying the magnificent Mbappé. That move to let the ball run through his legs as he rounded Courtois was, I would venture, reminiscent of that famous Pelé dummy at the 1970 World Cup.
It’s actually mostly been in the PSG half in these first ten minutes since the break, but it’s not as if you could describe Madrid as having come tearing out of the traps. It’s the visitors who are the more dangerous going forward.
Just before that Mbappé disallowed goal, Fede Valverde certainly caught hold of his Paul Scholes-esque volley from Toni Kroos’ corner-kick delivery. But it couldn’t find its way through a crowd of players, and that’s as close as Madrid have come since the break. - WA
Madrid have to go for it!
Ancelotti makes a double change:
OFF Kroos & Asensio
ON Camavinga & Rodrygo
Mbappé goes down holding his face after bouncing off the ground in a 50/50 with Alaba.
This is anyone's game now. Madrid will probably make a couple of changes. PSG have the game-changers.
Vinicius goes up the other end but his low strike is straight at Donnarumma.
Mbappé scores his second offside goal of the night. Madrid's backline was superb there.
Modric dinks a ball into Asensio's path and the winger wins a corner. Kroos' corner finds Valverde on the edge of the box. The Uruguayan strikes a volley from 40 yards first time that hits Paredes. It was like Beckham and Scholes at Bradford all those years ago.
Kimpembe clears as Asensio looks to shoot and the defender goes down. He should be ok. There was not a lot in that. Maybe it's just some early in-game management from the away team.
Verratti has been the outstanding midfielder tonight.
Two goals and a clean sheet for Madrid in the second half will take the game to extra time.
PSG get us underway for the second half!
If you're only joining us, PSG lead 1-0 on the night and 2-0 on aggregate.
Neymar and Militao have some halftime banter on the way out onto the pitch.
The players are in the tunnel now ahead of the second half.
How will this one pan out? Will it go to extra time?
Half-time thoughts:
PSG have got to be delighted with the scoreline given how Real Madrid started this leg. The Spaniards came out fast and looked really lively, but the counter-attack was always a threat from the visitors.
PSG started to take more control and that goal saw home heads drop somewhat. Messi and Neymar have been really sharp and Mbappé is showing these fans what they are hoping he'd keep for next season.
PSG lead with another Mbappé strike
Kylian Mbappé's first half goal has the Ligue 1 team ahead at the break in the Spanish capital.
PSG lead at the break through a Kylian Mbappé goal after 39 minutes. The French side lead 2-0 on aggregate. Real Madrid have it all to do in the second half.
HT: Real Madrid 0-1 PSG
Looking at the replay of the Mbappé goal - it's a superb curling assist from Neymar.
There will be two additional minutes played.
It's been all PSG since their goal. Messi is here too. It has been the Mbappé show over the two legs but don't forget that Messi is also here.
Summary after 40(-ish) minutes: Mbappé scores after giving Madrid plenty of warning
Having already been served ample warning that Mbappé is more than a little dangerous if you allow him to gallivant forward into space, Madrid now find themselves two down on aggregate. If not a full-on mountain, they do need to climb a fairly large hill now to turn this around. Los Blancos will be thanking their lucky stars that there’s no more away-goals rule. Two will still be enough to force extra time.
Over the past 10 minutes or so, PSG had again begun to pop the ball about confidently in the Madrid half - and before Mbaappé's opener, they thought they had the lead when the striker thumped home at the near post, in a finish not dissimilar to his goal minutes later. Nuno Mendes was just, just offside in the build-up, however.
There’s a real ebb and flow to this game. Between the Mbappé goal and disallowed goal, Madrid pinned PSG back for a good couple of minutes, creating two headed opportunities for Benzema. But for all the attacking drive the hosts have shown, they look like conceding every time PSG get Mbappé and Co breaking at pace. - WA
Verratti crosses but Militao heads it away.
Nacho is booked for fouling Hakimi.
Madrid now need a huge response.
Mbappé has found so much joy in the inside left channel and he was eventually going to capitalise.
PSG are leading 2-0 on aggregate. Madrid now need two to take it to extra time.
Real Madrid 0-1 PSG
Alaba waits and waits, before Mbappé smashes it past Courtois, who gets a touch on it but it flies in.
And this time he's not offside!
MBAPPÉ SCORES!!!
Benzema has found joy peeling off the PSG centre-back pairing of Marquinhos and Kimpembe.
Benzema is getting closer!
Kroos sends in a superb cross from the right and Benzema heads narrowly wide!
Possession:
Real Madrid - 40%
PSG - 60%
Benzema heads it straight at Donnarumma up the other end as Mbappé comes to terms with having his effort saved.
But...he's OFFSIDE!!!
MBAPPÉ SCORES!!!
Messi chips it beyond Courtois but it's not goalbound. It's a nice move between Neymar and Messi, the latter is just unable to direct it on target, with Courtois making himself bigger than his usual self, if that's even possible...
Summary after half an hour: Benzema close to stunner, PSG nearly make Madrid pay on break again
PSG had been growing more visibly comfortable on the ball, but in the past few minutes Madrid have enjoyed the better of the play once more - and created their best attacking moment so far. Benzema is so good at those curlers from the left into the far top corner, and came very close to scoring another of them. That said, there was another moment in which PSG could have caught the hosts on a quick break; Carvajal’s timely interception was all that prevented Neymar from galloping forward into Courtois’ penalty area. - WA
Mbappé shows his quality on the edge of the box with a couple of stepovers. He finds Hakimi, who crosses low but it's cleared. Mbappé has roamed across the forward line. Madrid don't know where to pick him up. Casemiro is a loss tonight.
There are some handbags here between Danilo and Vinicius.
Verratti breaks up the play, before releasing Messi. The Argentine looks to pick out Neymar but Carvajal gets a vital foot on the through-ball.
The Frenchman curls one from the edge of the box. It's heading for the top corner but Donnarumma gets the slightest touch to it.
BENZEMA!
It's so close!
PSG have Madrid sitting quite deep and are really taking the game to the home side. Verratti, Messi and Paredes are controlling the middle third.
Summary after 20 minutes: PSG get foot on the ball, Mbappé cuts Madrid defence to ribbons again
For all Madrid came flying out of the proverbial traps, buoyed by a Bernabéu crowd embracing the fabled espiritú de Juanito, it’s PSG who have come the closest to scoring. Once more, Mbappé's lightning pace cut the Madrid backline to ribbons, and only a smart Courtois stop prevented him from doubling the visitors' aggregate lead. The Parisians have started to put their foot on the ball and get those passing rhythms going. - WA
Messi is dropping very, very deep. Neymar is the furthest man forward for the French side. The Brazilian picks it up on the edge of the box, before unleashing a left-footed strike. It's down to Courtois' right. PSG threaten once again.
Vinicius picks out Asensio, he goes down and looks for a free after a challenge from Nuno Mendes but the referee waves play on.
Paredes shoots but it's always rising.
Nuno Mendes goes down from an Asensio challenge but there's nothing in it.
Verratti stops the play coming through the middle. PSG build again. Mbappé comes inside, with Mendes flying down the left, exploiting that space again. 0-0
Mbappé could have PSG ahead. They just now get more joy down the left. Nuno Mendes is played in but his cross evades everyone in the box.
PSG have broken down the left channel three times already. Mbappé has picked up those pockets in behind Carvajal.
Summary after first 10 (well, 12) minutes: Madrid make quick start, but given early Mbappé warning
Real Madrid have made their expected fast start to this second leg. Spurred on by the Bernabéu support, they’re haring at PSG high up the pitch in their attempts to win the ball back swiftly and launch quick attacks on Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal. However, they’ve been given an early reminder - if indeed they needed one - of the havoc Kylian Mbappé can wreak if they allow him to run at pace towards their penalty box. - WA
What a save by Courtois!
He gets down to deny Mbappé from the same angle he scored from in the first leg.
Carvajal shoots!
The right-back drives it well wide from outside the box.
PSG have slowed a hectic start down. Danilo and Verratti link up in the middle. Messi is also dropping quite deep and getting involved.
Messi tackles on the edge of the box before releasing Neymar. It eventually falls to Mbappé, who tests Courtois early. It's low but the big Belgian gets down well. 0-0
Kroos is back in after missing the game against Real Sociedad. He adds so much to the engine room. Asensio shoots from outside the box. Kimpembe is there to clear.
Danilo shoves Vinicius in the back. It's been quite spicy early on. Madrid look the brighter in an action-packed opening five minutes.
Vinicius crosses for Asensio. The Spaniard volleys but his shot is blocked by Danilo.
Mbappé has taken up a role on the left, with Messi on the right.
Neymar is playing in a free role and gets fouled early. PSG have a free out on the right.
Nacho has started at left-back with Alaba in the centre alongside Militao.
Militao and Kroos clash in the air and the defender is receiving treatment.
Danilo clears an early Madrid move. They've come out all guns blazing.
Real Madrid get us underway!
Real Madrid are playing from left to right. PSG lead 1-0 from the first leg.
And it's time for the Champions League anthem!
The players are making their way out onto the pitch.
PSG starting XI
- goalkeeper
- 50Gianluigi Donnarumma
- defenders
- 5Marquinhos
- 3Kimpembe
- 25Nuno Mendes
- 2Achraf Hakimi
- midfielders
- 6Verratti
- 8Paredes
- 15Danilo Pereira
- forwards
- 7Kylian Mbappe
- 10Neymar
- 30Messi
- substitutes
- CoachMauricio Pochettinos
- 11Di María
- 23Draxler
- 18Wijnaldum
- 9Icardi
- 28Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe
- 38Edouard Michut
- 24Thilo Kehrer
- 34Xavi Simons
- 27Idrissa Gueye
- 17Colin Dagba
- 22Abdou Diallo
- 1Keylor Navas
Real Madrid XI
- goalkeeper
- 1Courtois
- defenders
- 4Alaba
- 3Eder Militao
- 6Nacho
- 2Dani Carvajal
- midfielders
- 8Kroos
- 15Federico Valverde
- 10Modric
- forwards
- 11Marco Asensio
- 20Vinicius Junior
- 9Benzema
- substitutes
- CoachCarlo Ancelottis
- 25Camavinga
- 7Hazard
- 16Jovic
- 5Jesús Vallejo
- 12Marcelo
- 18Bale
- 19Dani Ceballos
- 22Isco
- 17Lucas Vázquez
- 13Andriy Lunin
- 21Rodrygo
- 24Mariano
Kick-off is just minutes away and the atmosphere is building nicely at the Bernabéu.
Will Mbappé do it again?
PSG forward Kylian Mbappé has been directly involved in 18 goals in his last 13 Champions League games, scoring 13 goals and providing five assists.
His winning goal in the first leg was his latest goal in the competition, coming in the 94th minute at the Parc des Princes.
PSG have held onto Mbappé despite numerous offers from Madrid in a bid to win the Champions League this year and he could be pivotal in that quest.
The Ligue 1 side have however been eliminated from three of their eight Champions League knockout ties when winning the first leg – only Barcelona (four) and Madrid (six) have been knocked out in this fashion more often.
Ancelotti tweaks team for PSG
Carlo Ancelotti had a few injury problems ahead of Wednesday’s game and is without key players Casemiro and Ferland Mendy through suspension this evening.
Eduardo Camavinga was expected to start but the Italian has gone with the experienced Toni Kroos alongside Valverde and Modric in the engine room.
Nacho has come in for the suspended Mendy. Kroos passed a late fitness test to make the squad. Fede Valverde will give legs to the midfield trio.
Up front, Madrid have gone with Asensio and Vinicius alongside Karim Benzema
PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is expecting a different Real Madrid team ahead of the second leg of the Champions League game.
Both teams are dealing with some injuries, but it isn't just that which makes tonight's game different. "It is a final and for this reason, it is going to require absolute concentration and, above all, adapting to the conditions that have changed in three weeks," said Pochettino.
Modric: "Of course I'd like to play with Mbappé"
Luka Modric hopes Kylian Mbappé will join him at Real Madrid next season, as speculation continues over the forward's future.
"We want to play with great players, Kylian is one of those. Of course, I'd like to play with him, let's see," he told reporters.
"It's difficult to talk about other players, clubs get angry, can interpret it badly, but I don't think a player exists that doesn't want him on their team."
Benzema vs Messi
The Argentine has been criticised for some of his performances with PSG this season.
Benzema has scored 20 goals in LaLiga this season. He's the man Madrid need tonight if they're to make it to the quarter-finals.
Madrid and PSG chiefs meet
Mbappé is the player on everyone's lips tonight.
He does start for PSG, the team whose offers he has rejected in recent months. Will he join Madrid this summer? Maybe Florentino knows something that we don't.
Alfredo Relaño takes a look at tonight's game and says that while PSG have splurged millions and millions over the years in a bid to winning Europe's biggest footballing prize, they still fail to truly scare teams such as Real Madrid, certainly not in the way Bayern or Liverpool would.
"There is something artificial, something decorous, about PSG, a team that lacks the long tradition of other European clubs and year after year attempts to climb the summit in their desire to be considered among them."
Real Madrid fans gathered in the thousands outside the Bernabéu to welcome the team to the stadium on Wednesday evening, chanting “Sí se puede” (Yes we can) ahead of Los Blancos’ second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
The calm before the storm
Real Madrid versus PSG gets underway in 40 minutes.
No Mbappé talks between PSG and Madrid
PSG sporting director Leonardo spoke to Deportes Cuatro ahead of tonight's mouthwatering clash between PSG and Real Madrid management, stating that the topic of Kylian Mbappé’s future would be off the table.
Leonardo arrived at the Zalacaín restaurant in Madrid with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to meet the Madrid delegation.
“We are not talking about Mbappé," he said.
PSG XI vs Real Madrid
Donnarumma - Hakimi, Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes - Danilo, Paredes, Verratti - Neymar, Messi, Mbappé.
It's Neymar, Messi and Mbappé up top for PSG tonight.
Ángel Di María starts on the bench.
Madrid fans welcome the team
Real Madrid make their way to the Santiago Bernabéu for their biggest game of year.
The streets around the famous ground have been packed ahead of kick-off.
Kylian Mbappé starts for PSG
Real Madrid will seek to overturn a 1-0 aggregate deficit when they welcome PSG to the Bernabéu on Wednesday night after a lacklustre display at the Parc des Princes was punished by Kylian Mbappé’s late winner.
The Frenchman set alarm bells ringing when he limped out of training on Monday after a robust challenge from team-mate Idrissa Gueye, but he has been included in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting eleven for the trip to the Bernabéu.
Sergio Ramos has been ruled out of the game as the former Madrid captain’s injury-plagued season continues, but the defender has travelled with the PSG squad for moral support on his old stomping ground.
PSG arrive at the Santiago Bernabéu
Match fact
Real Madrid have seen over 2.5 goals in their last three home matches against PSG in all competitions.
Messi returns to the Bernabéu
The French forward looked more impressed each time the camera caught his face looking around the Bernabéu as he warmed up ahead of the PSG-Real Madrid game.
PSG starting XI
Journalist Miguel Delaney has the PSG team. We're still waiting for official confirmation from PSG.
Real Madrid starting XI
Real Madrid XI: Courtois - Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Nacho - Valverde, Kroos, Modric - Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius.
Toni Kroos is the surprise inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti's team tonight. The German midfielder has just returned to training but makes the starting eleven. It remains to be seen whether Alaba or Nacho starts at left-back. Ancelotti doesn't usually like to alternate too much so it could be Nacho straight in for the suspended Mendy.
Real Madrid's squad for last 16 second leg
PSG squad for Real Madrid clash
Courtois denies Messi
Real Madrid shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois has made the most saves in this year's Champions League - an impressive 29. The Belgian denied Leo Messi from 12 yards in the first leg in Paris.
Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi trains ahead of tonight's game at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid (Photo by Gabriel Bouys / AFP)
Pochettino: "I think Lionel Messi is the best player in the world"
Speaking at his press conference before his PSG side's Champions League last 16 second leg tie with Real Madrid this evening, Mauricio Pochettino was asked if Kylian Mbappé was now the best player in the world.
“I think Lionel Messi is the best player in the world with his seven Ballons d’Or. Then we have players like Kylian Mbappé who are challenging to be the best in the world. Kylian Mbappé is one of the best players in the world," Pochettino said.
Sergio Ramos misses out
PSG defender and Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos will not have the opportunity to face his former club due to a muscular injury.
Fellow Spaniards Juan Bernat and Ander Herrera are also unavailable.
Fans make their way to the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain at the Santiago Bernabéu on 9 March 2022 in Madrid, Spain (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
UCL 21/22: Real Madrid & PSG record
Our colleagues over atSofaScore have put together this graphic on Real Madrid and PSG's form in the Champions League this season.
Tonight's venue: Santiago Bernabéu
All the info on how and where to watch Real Madrid host PSG at the Bernabéu in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 on 9 March.
Real Madrid vs PSG: live!
Hello and welcome to AS USA's live coverage of the Champions League last 16 second leg between Real Madrid and PSGat the Santiago Bernabéu.
Kieran Quaile will be taking you through the action as it unfolds in the Spanish capital. We'll also have William Allen from Diario AS providing you with in-game analysis.
Kick-off is at 15:00 ET / 21:00 CET.