Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) narrowly avoided a shock exit from the UEFA Champions League, securing their place in the last 16 after a 2-2 draw with Monaco. As a result the Parisians advance 5-4 on aggregate, according to the UEFA Champions League website.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, beat Benfica 2-1 to secure a 3-1 aggregate win and advance to the knockout stages. While PSG came into the contest with a 3-2 advantage from the first leg, Monaco arrived in Paris with a clear point to prove.
From the opening whistle, the visitors tested PSG’s backline, and their persistence paid off on the stroke of halftime. Monaco midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, returning from injury, scored the first goal of the match and levelled the tie at 3-3 on aggregate.
At the interval, PSG looked vulnerable, having failed to register a single shot on target while Monaco appeared the more likely to find a second. The game’s complexion changed entirely in the 58th minute.
Monaco’s Mamadou Coulibaly, who had already been cautioned, received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. PSG capitalised almost immediately. In the 60th minute, the Paris captain restored his side’s aggregate lead. Marquinhos reacted fastest in a crowded penalty area and scored from a set-piece, putting PSG back in front overall. Six minutes later (66′), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made it 2-1 in the match by scoring from close range.
