Although Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germaine (PSG) are star-studded teams, more of the attention will be on Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash.
While this Wednesday is celebrated as Lovers’ Day across the world, no one expects love advances from either side when the action gets underway at Santiago Bernabeu between Real Madrid and PSG.
Wednesday’s First Leg Round of 16 clash is evenly-poised as it pitches the defending champions against one of the tournament’s favourites.
Rarely has there been such a hotly-anticipated showdown at the last-16 stage of the Champions League hence the expectations are quite high tonight.
Stay with PREMIUM TIMES for live updates of the match. Kickoff time is 8.45pm.
Starting line up
REAL MADRID
Navas; Nacho, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo
PSG
Areola; Alves, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Yuri; Verratti, Lo Celso, Rabiot; Neymar, Cavani, Mbappe
1′ Match underway at the Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid start very brightly
Half-chance for Real Madrid as Ronaldo meets a long-range Isco pass inside the PSG box, but the attacker’s effort was always drifting wide of the far post.
Areola palms a Kroos corner back into the penalty box, and Marquinhos almost turns into his own net.
Marcelo in pains after a tackle
The Brazilian is back after that scare
Yellow card: Neymar gets a booking for a tackle on Nacho
15 minutes gone and still goalless
Real Madrid were the better team in the early moments, although PSG are now seeing more of the ball in the final third
With Neymar on a yellow card this early, you can bet that Real Madrid’s players will be looking to wind the Brazilian up here
Offside, Real Madrid. Isco tries a through ball, but Cristiano Ronaldo is caught offside
Neymar is getting a bit frustrated in a wide area, and the Brazilian needs to be careful having already been booked.
In Portugal Liverpool have taken the lead against Porto. Mane the scorer!!
Isco (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half but Ronaldo’s delivery not the best
Liverpool now 2-0 up against Porto… Mohammed Salah doubles the lead for the Reds
Game resumes after a delay because of Alphonse Areola (Paris Saint Germain) injury.
Isco gets Yellow card
GOAL!!! Rabiot gives PSG the lead
PSG have gotten the vital away goal… If Neymar has meant the back-heel into Rabiot then that is stunning!
PSG are not happy as Kroos chops Mbappe to the deck
MISS!! Cavani almost doubled the lead for PSG
Corner kick for Real Madrid as they press for an equaliser
Paris Saint-Germain have scored 127 goals in 39 games in all competitions this season; the most of any team in the Top 5 European Leagues.
SAVE: Benzema forces a save from the PSG keeper
PENALTY!!!
Ronaldo set to take the kick for Real Madrid… Goal!!
Real Madrid 1-1 PSG
Ronaldo has now scored his 100th Champions League goal for Real Madrid!
HALF TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 PSG
Rabiot sent PSG ahead with a clever finish in the 33rd minute, but the home side levelled in the final stages of the first half when Ronaldo stuck his penalty into the bottom corner of the net.
In the other game Liverpool keep their 2-0 lead away to Porto
SECOND 45 MINUTES UNDERWAY
SAVE… PSG CLOSE
Liverpool balling in Portugal as Mane makes it 3-0 against Porto
Offside, Real Madrid. Toni Kroos tries a through ball, but Isco is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. Adrien Rabiot (Paris Saint Germain) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dani Alves.
Offside, Real Madrid. Isco tries a through ball, but Cristiano Ronaldo is caught offside again
Another Yellow Card .. this time to Rabiot the PSG goalscorer
SUBS: Cavani out for Munir
REAL MADRID: Benzema out for Bale
GOAL as Cristiano Ronaldo put Real Madrid in front
Real Madrid score their second of the match in the 83rd minute as Ronaldo bundles the ball into the back of the net following a cross from Asensio! Areola palmed the ball back into the box, and it just hit Ronaldo before ending up in the goal!
Draxler replaces Lo Celso for the away side.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 PSG (Marcelo)
The game ended in Portugal… Porto 0-5 Liverpool Sadio Mane with a hat-trick
Three minutes added time
FINAL SCORE: Real Madrid 3-1 PSG
