Cristiano Ronaldo makes history as Real Madrid take control of PSG tie (Details, pics)
An historic goal from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid to a 3-1 victory in their Champions League last-16 clash with PSG on Wednesday as 'Los Blancos' ensured they go into the return leg in a strong position. After an incredible amout of pre-match hype, the game started at an incredible pace.
It was the hosts who started the better as Ronaldo lashed a volley from a tight angle just wide, before Toni Kroos' curling effort caused panic in the PSG defence. At the other end, former Real Sociedad defender Yuri Berchiche saw a cross-cum-shot evade both the far post and the awaiting Edinson Cavani.
The game continued to flow as both sides served up an entertaining affair, Ronaldo and Neymar were at the centre of most things, as they so often are. The Portuguese saw a free-kick flash over the bar before Neymar twice should have done better, first losing his footing when trying to play in Kylian Mbappe, before firing tamely straight at Keylor Navas after cutting in from the left.
With 32 minutes gone Real skipper Sergio Ramos headed straight at Alphonse Areola from a corner, something he was made to regret just a minute later as PSG took the lead. Kylian Mbappe crossed low from the right and whilst Neymar couldn't get a shot away, the ball dropped perfectly for the onrushing Adrien Rabiot to fire home.
The hosts only seemed to be fired up by that though, with Ronaldo lashing over and Karim Benzema denied by a fine save from Areola. On the stroke of half-time, Real did find a way back into the game and it was gifted to them. Giovani Lo Celso pulled back Toni Kroos in the box, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot.
Ronaldo took responsibility from the spot, smashing past the visiting goalkeeper to become the first player to score 100 Champions League goals for a single team and level things going into the break.
That left things poised on a knife edge and the tension was evident in the second period. Both sides continued to press for the goal that would put them in control. Within minutes of the restart Mbappe saw a low strike well saved by Navas, before Rabiot had a fiercely-struck effort blocked away by what appeared to be the hand of Ramos.
The visitors were dominating the possession at this stage, but the hosts weren't without their chances as Ronaldo saw a free-kick deflected away to safety and Benzema was just unable to connect with a low Isco centre.
PSG continued to look the most likely though, with Presnel Kimpembe being denied by a fine Ramos block, before Berchiche's cross somehow evaded both Mbappe and Dani Alves. As the game moved into the final 10 minutes though Real stepped up their game, aided greatly by the introduction of Marco Asensio.
The youngster was an immediate thorn in PSG's side and he soon made a huge impact in the tie.With just seven minutes to go and just four minutes after coming on, Asensio was fed out on the left by Modric, with the former Real Mallorca man immediately crossing low. Areola was only able to palm the ball straight to Ronaldo, who improvised a finish to put his side ahead.
As if that weren't enough for PSG, they were punished against just three minutes later as Asensio once again crossed from the left, with Marcelo the beneficiary this time, sweeping past Areola at the near post.
That quick fire brace put Real in the driving seat, but PSG could still have reduced the deficit in the last knockings of the match as Mbappe was denied at the near post by Navas and Neymar blazed over with the last kick of the game.
The result means that Real will go to the Parc des Princes in complete control of the tie, though as PSG showed last year this is very much only half-time in the tie.
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