Defeating PSG, Real early won ticket to round of 16

With the only goal of the match from center back Nacho, Real Madrid surpassed PSG to become one of the two teams to complete the Champions League group stage task the earliest along with Man City.

Defender Nacho became the hero when he scored the only goal for Real.

Defender Nacho scored an important goal for Real when he exploited the opponent's goalkeeper's mistake in the 35th minute. PSG had more chances but were not lucky enough to score against goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Without any goals, the French team suffered their first defeat in the Champions League group stage this season.

The victory over PSG not only helped Real maintain their top position in Group A but also secured a ticket to the round of 16. Coach Rafa Benitez's team has 10 points after four matches, seven points more than the third-placed Shakhtar Donetsk. This gap is enough for Real and Man City in Group D to become the two teams to qualify first.

Real's victory over PSG was actually more luck than conviction. In the first half, Real only had one chance and converted it into a goal. Meanwhile, PSG had six clear situations but could not get the ball into the net of goalkeeper Navas.

In a top-level competition, PSG may still be nervous against an opponent like Real. With the ball in the box in the 21st minute, Matuidi was fully capable of firing a powerful shot to score, not just hastily shooting off target. Ibra also showed a lack of precision when he launched a curling shot in the 22nd minute and a free kick in the 28th minute that missed the post by inches. Even an experienced striker like Cavani made elementary mistakes: finishing clumsily in a one-on-one situation with Navas before missing a header just a few meters from goal at the end of the first half.

PSG could have scored a few goals against Real if they had been a bit lucky.

Real Madrid were not only lucky to escape PSG's threat, but their only goal was also influenced by "luck". After Toni Kroos' long-range shot hit an opposing defender, defender Nacho suddenly ran up and cushioned the ball from the touchline into the goal. Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp made the mistake of thinking Nacho was just crossing the ball, not expecting the shot to be enough to send the ball over the goal line.

In this match, Cristiano Ronaldo was pale in front of the careful "care" of PSG's defense. CR7 had almost no chance to shoot towards Kevin Trapp, even taking away a chance from his teammate when he won the ball but did not have a favorable shooting angle in the 68th minute.

In the second half, Real improved the game and did not give PSG as many chances as before. The home team had two situations that could have increased the score to 2-0 but could not beat Trapp. Another reason was that Isco and Toni Kroos both shot from tight angles, the ball went hard but could not beat a timely kick and an excellent save from the opposing goalkeeper.

PSG continued to be unlucky at the end of the match when Angel Di Maria took a free kick. The ball hit the crossbar while Navas could only watch.

With a narrow defeat, PSG finished second in Group A with seven points. They have two more games to qualify, but are unlikely to be top of the group after six games.

According to VNE