Real Madrid created 27 shots against PSG, but they allowed two late goals in the span of three minutes in a heart-breaking draw.
Sometimes, a draw feels like a loss. But even though Real Madrid finished with a share of the points on a 2-2 scoreline with PSG at the Santiago Bernabeu, it is important to take a look at all of the positives from this game.
Yes, Real switched off at the end and allowed two late goals to Kylian Mbappe and Pablo Sarabia after stupid, inexcusable defensive errors, but they were dominant for most of the 90 minutes. Real Madrid created 27 shots with 12 shots on target, whereas the opposition only had four shots on target. Los Blancos bested PSG in passing accuracy and possession to solidify their advantage.
Karim Benzema, who came into this game with five goals in three games, added a brace to his tally and seemed to have the game won in the 79th minute when he headed home a pinpoint cross from Marcelo. Minutes later, Mbappe and Sarabia would change the narrative, as Real blew the game and were forced to settle on the draw.
As disappointing as the ending was, Real could have easily won this game with at least five goals. Gareth Bale hit the post from a potential game-winning free kick that would have been a fairytale ending, given all that he’s dealt with this season. And Keylor Navas robbed the likes of Benzema, Marcelo, and Toni Kroos multiple times. Kroos had peppered Navas’ goal with more dangerous shots, continuing his stellar form this season.
Real Madrid did all of this despite losing Eden Hazard to an injury at around the hour mark after a disgusting tackle from countryman Thomas Meunier. Hazard’s injury greatly hurt Real on the counter, as his brilliant dribbling had set up the team’s first goal from Benzema.
Still, Real were brilliant for most of the game. Hazard could not be touched, Isco proved to be a genius inclusion, Kroos owned the first half, Benzema was up to his usual world-class standard, and Fede Valverde and Casemiro bossed a PSG midfield that had given Real all sorts of trouble in September.
In short, Real Madrid looked like legitimate Champions League title contenders under three-time champion Zinedine Zidane, as they outplayed one of the most talented teams in Europe. This performance at the Bernabeu cemented how different Madrid look from September, as they have gone from “shaky” to “great” in a matter of months.
Zidane will rue the mistakes at the end of the game, but those errors are a reminder that Real must continue to stay hungry and focused, never letting up at any point during a game. After putting together a tactical masterpiece against Thomas Tuchel’s PSG, he will use those defensive lapses as more teaching moments for Real, who can grow and become stronger from those mistakes.
But Zidane and Real Madrid fans can also be proud of how fluid the team looked for most of the game. They showed fans around the world that they are back to their elite standard of football in the Spanish capital, and other teams have certainly taken notice of their excellent in the first 80 minutes of this game. Real were unlucky not to pick up all three points on Tuesday.