Real Madrid vs. PSG result: Karim Benzema hat trick destroys Champions League dreams for Messi, Mbappe and Neymar

Will Savage

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Real Madrid vs. PSG result: Karim Benzema hat trick destroys Champions League dreams for Messi, Mbappe and Neymar image

Kylian Mbappe had PSG coasting with his latest Champions League goal to put his team up 2-0 on aggregate against Real Madrid, but a Karim Benzema second-half hat trick in a span of just 13 minutes erased the advantage and sent Los Blancos into the Champions League quarterfinals. 

Real Madrid won the series 3-2 on total goals thanks to a furious response that was ignited by a controversial play. Big-money Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma gave away the ball on a shoulder challenge from Benzema and then watch the ball come back to Benzema for the first goal. PSG felt Donnarumma was fouled, but the referee didn't concur and the momentum shift was palpable as the visitors proceeded to crumble.

It was looking so promising for PSG, who were a threat on the counter in the first half. The Mbappe goal came off one of those moves with Neymar providing the service. Mbappe had the pace to bear down on goal, and finish past Real Madrid 'keeper Thibaut Courtois.

PSG came out for the second half knowing that, unless they shipped three goals, they were 45 minutes away from going through in the marquee Round of 16 series. This was their big chance to correct their record of collapsing under pressure on the Champions League stage. They failed the assignment.

After the Donnarumma gaffe got Real Madrid back in the series, more errors proved costly. A Neymar turnover led to another sweeping Real Madrid attack for their second, and a Marquinhos poke inside his own box gifted Benzema the decisive third. It was a nightmare second half for PSG's defenders, who struggled with everything they did in their own defensive third.

Although they had 15 minutes to try to respond, PSG never looked like they were in position to muster a reaction. The team signed Donnarumma and Lionel Messi in the offseason to help get them over the hump in a quest to win their first-ever Champions League. But it was the same old story for a big-money PSG side with another memorable collapse.

Real Madrid vs PSG final score

  1H 2H Final
Real Madrid  0 3 3
PSG 1 0 1

Goals:
PSG — Mbappe (Neymar) — 39th min.
RMA — Benzema (Vinicius Jr.) — 61st min.
RMA — Benzema (Modric) — 76th min.
RMA — Benzema — 78th min.

(All times Eastern)

FINAL: Real Madrid 3, PSG 1 (3-2 on aggregate)

That's it! What a game! Benzema's hat trick turned the series around, and Real Madrid will be going through to the quarterfinals. An all too familiar story for PSG, who are out of Europe at the Round of 16.

93rd min.: One minute to go now, PSG need to make something stick soon. But it's a goal kick for Madrid as Mbappe runs the ball out of play. The crowd are bouncing.

92nd min.: A stoppage as Vinicius is down with a cramp. Marco Verratti jogs across to play physio, as Messi and Neymar stand over the free kick. Messi takes it. It whips, and dips, but didn't have enough dip to find its way under Courtois' crossbar.

89th min: Kimpembe loses the ball under barely any pressure, and it's worked back to Benzema, who tries to play in Vinicius. I can't remember when a PSG player last did something good in their defensive third. 

84th min: Kimpembe picks up a booking for a frustrated shove.

78th min: GOAL!

Almost straight from kickoff Real Madrid are back at PSG. It's one direct pass into their area. Marquinhos flicks a foot at it, only managing to clear it to the edge of the area, where Benzema places a composed finish into the bottom corner to turn the tie on its head.

76th min: GOAL!

Benzema gets his second! Modric intercepts the ball on the edge of his own area and carries through the PSG bodies to the halfway line. He plays the ball into space for Vinicius down the left. The ball gets back to Modric, who feeds Benzema in the box and from a tight angle, his shot is deflected off a PSG leg and into the back of the PSG net.

75th min: Just when the Parisians looked comfortable, it's panic stations at the back once again. A pass bounces off Nuno Mendes into the path of Vinicius. It's an awkward chance for him, close to goal, and he stretches to half volley it, the shot goes over. PSG give the ball away on the edge of their area moments later, but the chance comes to nothing.

PSG deserve praise for how they have controlled the game with the ball, but the sloppiness of the defending will be a real concern for Pochettino

72nd min.: Idrissa Gueye is on for Paredes.

70th min.: PSG hold onto the ball, passing it around on the edge of Madrid's third, to the whistles of the home fans. 

69th min.: Madrid come again. Paredes steps on Benzema's foot, right in front of the referee. Nothing is given, and Benzema hobbles gingerly for a moment. PSG survive and manage a spell of possession. Verratti and Paredes have managed the game well in midfield.

67th min.: A little more Madrid pressure from a corner, but it comes to nothing. Lucas Vazquez is on for Dani Carvajal, as Carlo Ancelotti looks to turn the screw a little more.

64th min.: The stadium has come alive. A simple cross from the right is met by Benzema, who rises above Marquinhos. He heads agonisingly wide, but all those memories of PSG collapses will be coming to the fore now. Mauricio Pochettino looks agitated.

62nd min.: GOAL!

Donnarumma dwells on the ball and Benzema forces the ball loose. It rolls across the goal to Vinicius on the far side. He takes a touch and Benzema is free on the edge of the six-yard area. Vinicius finds him and it's the easiest of finishes for the forward. Donnarumma has handed the home side their route back into the tie.

61st min.: Meanwhile, PSG counter and Mbappe sets off down the left. He knocks the ball into space and, before Mbappe can turn on the afterburners, Carvajal shoulder barges him off the pitch, and picks up a booking.

57th min.: Kroos off for Camavinga, and Rodrygo replaces Asensio for the hosts. Rodrygo could provide Madrid with some much needed pace in attack, Asensio struggled to influence the game.

56th min.: Mbappe scores again, but it's offside once again. PSG counter and it's great team play. Verratti's first pass to find Mbappe is inaccurate, but he recovers the ball and plays the forward through second time. Mbappe is clean through, one-on-one, and sells a lovely feint to plant Courtois before rounding him and firing home. Sadly for the visitors, he was offside.

52nd min.: The tempo has dropped so far in this half, with PSG seemingly happy to sit a little deeper and let Madrid come onto them. Madrid are stringing more passes together.

49th min.: PSG keep the ball well in their own half. Real Madrid, at least from what we've seen, will be looking to press in this half. Of course, we've already been shown what PSG are capable of against a high line, so there's a real threat there if they manage to beat the press.

46th min.: We're back underway. Carlo Ancelotti was out early, as PSG get things going.

Halftime: Real Madrid 0, PSG 1

PSG deservedly in the lead. While Real Madrid have had their chances, the visitors have managed to control portions of the game in a way the hosts have struggled to.

44th min: Nacho is booked for a cynical foul on Hakimi, while Vinicius is also booked. 

42nd min: Modric shoots from the left hand side. It's far out, but the low shot has some venom behind it. Donnarumma holds onto it. 

39th min.: GOAL!

This time it counts! Real Madrid have the ball high up, but lose it. The ball breaks to Neymar and PSG manage what they've threatened all game. Neymar sweeps it up the pitch with his first touch and Mbappe latches onto it. He bears down on goal and gives Courtois the eyes, before firing in at his near post. PSG in the driving seat here.

37th min.: Real Madrid have improved. They have the longest spell on the ball they've managed for a while. It's worked in from the left for Valverde to shoot from outside the area. It's blocked, and it was going well wide. The ball is worked out to the right and crossed in, Benzema rises well, unmarked, but heads wide as he tries to steer the ball back across goal.

34th min.: We have a goal, but it's disallowed. Mendes runs down the left into space and receives a long ball, but he's offside. The move ends Mbappe side-footing home at Courtois's near post, but the flag is up quickly. 

32nd min.: Close! Great link up between Neymar and Messi, with the Brazilian finding the Argentine on the left hand side of the six-yard box. Courtois is out quickly and Messi lifts the ball over him. It's a square ball that bounces across goal, with nobody to turn it in. The rotation and combinations between the PSG front three is mesmerizing to watch at times.

24th min: Whistles from the crowd as PSG hold onto the ball for a while. Moments later, Benzema forces a very good save from Donnarumma as he looks to bend the ball from distance.

22nd min: Hakimi gets the better of Vinicius again, before PSG play their way up the pitch. It ends with Neymar receiving the ball on the edge of the area and, in significant space, having time to shift it onto his left and shoot across goal. He doesn't get enough on it to really trouble Courtois.

18th min: An impressive flick from Benzema, who backheels a dropping long ball to prevent it from going out for a throw in. Mendes is down, holding his ankle after contesting the aerial ball with Asensio. He's back up on his feet though, and dancing through defenders before PSG lose the ball. The pace has left the game for the moment, as Paredes tries a shot from outside the area. From dead centre, he slices his shot over the bar.

13th min.: Vinicius Junior is on the attack again. Hakimi sees him off for now, with the help of some lenient refereeing. At the other end, the ball breaks to Mbappe. He shoots, but Courtois is out quickly to smother the chance.

9th min.: The atmosphere is raucous already, with a few tasty challenges only stoking the fire. Great work from Vinicius on the left who turns Hakimi inside out before finding Benzema on the edge of the box. Messi takes it away and Neymar feeds an Mbappe run down the left. From a tight angle, and not close to goal, Mbappé shoots but it's a comfortable save. We have a game on our hands.

4th min.: The visitors don't feel like they're up to the tempo of the hosts yet, with Real Madrid winning the ball back in midfield a few times already. Vinicius' cross results in an acrobatic effort from Asensio, which is blocked, but the French side have been very much second best in the first five minutes.

1st min.: We're underway, and Real Madrid don't take long before threatening. Carvajal's low ball into the box bounces around. You feel like the hosts are up for this, but Militao has gone down after clashing heads with Kroos. He's back on his feet now.

2:39 p.m.: The pressure is on both teams going into this game. Perfection is always demanded of Real Madrid in Europe, while PSG carry an advantage into the game, and will be expected to see that advantage through to the quarterfinals. With how much money the Parisians have spent in recent years, a European trophy surely has to come soon.

2:17 p.m.: A performance from this man would go a long way to seeing PSG through to the quarterfinals tonight. The visitors have all three of their stars on show, they'll be hoping for fireworks.

1:45 p.m.: Team bus arrivals are big in Spain:

1:37 p.m.: Will we see Lionel Messi light up the Bernabeu one more time like he used to?

Real Madrid vs PSG lineups

The hosts go into the game with two confirmed absentees. Left back Ferland Mendy and defensive midfielder Casemiro are both suspended. The pair are big losses for Ancelotti's team. Nacho will fill in at left back, while Valverde was preferred over Camavinga to replace Casemiro. Toni Kroos returned to training and starts.

Real Madrid starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 1-Courtois (GK) — 6-Nacho, 4-Alaba, 3-Militão, 2-Carvajal — 8-Kroos, 15-Valverde, 10-Modric — 20-Vinicius Júnior, 9-Benzema (capt.), 11-Asensio

Real Madrid subs (12): 13-Lunin, 12-Marcelo, 5-Vallejo, 19-Ceballos, 17-L. Vazquez, 25-Camavinga, 7-Hazard, 22-Isco, 24-Mariano, 16-Jovic, 18-Bale, 21-Rodrygo

Kylian Mbappe was a major doubt for this game, after Idrissa Gueye stood on his foot during training. He won't miss out on the match that the world will be watching and he starts. Leandro Paredes was doubtful, but he also starts as Mauricio Pochettino goes with his best lineup.

PSG starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 50-Donnarumma (GK) — 25-Mendes, 3-Kimpembe, 5-Marquinhos (capt.), 2-Hakimi — 6-Verratti, 15-Danilo, 8-Paredes — 10-Neymar, 7-Mbappé, 30-Messi

PSG subs (12): 1-Navas, 24-Kehrer, 17-Dagba, 22-Diallo, 18-Wijnaldum, 27-Idrissa Gueye, 38-Michut, 34-Simons, 28-Dina Ebimbe, 23-Draxler, 11-Di Maria, 9-Icardi

MORE: UEFA Champions League Round of 16 schedule

Will Savage