Kylian Mbappe saved Paris St Germain blushes with his late goal after Lionel Messi had missed a spot kick in the 62nd minute
By Kehinde Okeowo
French striker Kylian Mbappe broke the hearts of the visiting fans after scoring a brilliant stoppage time goal,
as Paris St-Germain narrowly beat La Liga outfit Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie at Parc des Princes.
The 24-year-old, linked with a move to the same Real Madrid in the summer, got a clever backheel from Neymar, before getting past two defenders inside the box and slotting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 1-0 to the PSG.
It was a spectacular ending to a game that had looked set to end in a draw for PSG, especially after Lionel Messi’s spot kick was saved just after the hour mark, by Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois.
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The hosts were the more dominant side but struggled to break down a well marshalled Real Madrid defence, which limited their goalmouth action to one shot on target in the first half.
But Neymar was introduced in the 72nd minute and he made PSG look more purposeful as he caused Real several problems with his dangerous crosses and clever runs.
The Brazilian was making his first appearance since November after recovering from injury,
His introduction, however, proved decisive, as he provided the crucial assist which Mbappe finished to earn PSG the needed victory with seconds remaining.
The win puts the French club in the driving seat when they travel to Madrid on Wednesday, 9 March for the return leg against the Spanish giant.