Champions League, Parc des Princes – Paris Saint Germain 1 (Cavani 71) Real Madrid 2 (Ronaldo 51, Casemiro 80)
The defending champions Real Madrid eased into the Champions League quarter-finals with a comfortable 5-2 aggregate victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
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Cristiano Ronaldo does it again in the UEFA Champions League!
2:51 AM - Mar 7, 2018
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Real had too much nous for PSG at the Parc des Princes. They may be struggling in La Liga but they will go into the quarter-finals fancying their chances of winning this competition for the third year in a row.
Although the PSG keeper Alphonse Areola made two fine first-half saves to deny Sergio Ramosand Karim Benzema, he was powerless to stop Real taking the lead through a towering header from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 51st minute.
PSG desperately missed their injured talisman Neymar and were reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute when Marco Verratti received a second yellow card for dissent.
Edinson Cavani’s fortunate goal brought PSG level, but Real – who hit the post three times in the second half - clinched a deserved victory on the night with a deflected shot from Casemiro.
[Real Madrid fans react: ‘Cristiano Ronaldo just singlehandedly destroyed an entire club’s pathetic little project’]
Talking Point
Money's not enough: PSG have spent hundreds of millions of pounds, but they may have to spend the same again if they are to win the Champions League for the first time in their history. In the absence of Neymar they look an ordinary side lacking in self-belief.
Man of the Match
Casemiro: The Brazilian protected Real’s centre-backs like a nightclub bouncer, constantly breaking up PSG’s attacks. He also used the ball calmly and sealed an immaculate performance with the winning goal.
Player Ratings
PSG: Areola 8; Dani Alves 4, Thiago Silva 6, Marquinhos 6, Berchiche 7; Verratti 5, Motta 6, Rabiot 6; Di Maria 5, Cavane 3, Mbappe 6. Subs: Pastore 6, Draxler 6, Diarra 6.
Real Madrid: Navas 7; Carvajal 6, Varane 7, Ramos 8, Marcelo 6; Lucas Vazquez 6, Casemiro 8, Kovacic 7, Asensio 8; Benzema 6, Ronaldo 7. Subs: Isco 6, Bale 6, Kroos 6.
Key Moments
51' - GOAL! PSG 0-1 Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo has done it again, putting Real ahead with a towering header. The goal was made by Asensio, who played a gorgeous pass down the left to Vazquez. He stood up a lovely deep cross towards Ronaldo, who soared above Berchiche to thump a downward header through the keeper Areola.
66' - Marco Verratti is sent off! He receives a second yellow card for dissent after charging towards the referee Felix Brych when he did not get the free-kick he wanted. PSG are down to 10 men.
70' - GOAL! PSG 1-1 Real Madrid: PSG get one back through a fortunate goal by Cavani! Thiago Silva's header was cleared off the line and the ball ricocheted back into the night off Cavani, who knew very little about it.
80' - GOAL! PSG 1-2 Real Madrid: Casemiro's deflected shot wrongfoots Areola to confirm Real's place in the quarter-finals.
Key Stats
Eurosport UK✔@Eurosport_UK
2:54 AM - Mar 7, 2018
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- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in his last nine Champions League games.
- Real have reached the quarter-final of the competition in each of the last eight seasons.
