Mbappe stars as PSG snatch dramatic point at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe instigated a dramatic Champions League comeback on Tuesday as Paris Saint-Germain scored twice in two minutes to rescue a 2-2 draw against Real Madrid and secure first place in Group A. Madrid dominated majority of a pulsating contest at Santiago Bernabeu and looked to have sewn up an impressive victory when Karim Benzema scored his second goal in 79th minute. But PSG pulled off an unlikely turnaround as Mbappe capitalised on a defensive mix-up to pull one back in 81st minute before Pablo Sarabia, once of Real, drove into top corner second later.

"Real were better for long periods," said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel.

"We were lucky but that's t a crime."

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Gareth Bale, who came on as a substitute to a mixed reception from home fans, almost won it in injury-time when his bending free-kick struck post. draw means PSG will go through as group winners while Madrid are guaranteed to finish second after Club Brugge drew 1-1 at Galatasaray in early kick-off. Madrid's late capitulation tarnished an excellent display that highlighted ir transformation since 3-0 thrashing at Parc des Princes in September.

"It was a great performance," said Zinedine Zidane.

" players are t happy with result but you have to be happy with what we have done for 80 minutes. I'd take that performance all day long."

re was also worrying sight of Eden Hazard hobbling off with what looked like an ankle injury in second half, with Clasico against Barcelona only three weeks away. "It's more than just a kck but I hope twist is a mir one," said Zidane. Neymar was also left on bench by Tuchel despite recovering from a hamstring injury, only to be brought on at half-time. It was his dummy that led to Sarabia's equaliser. "I didn't want to risk him," said Tuchel. "I prefered to be sure he could finish match." Zidane's press conference on Monday became ar ode to Mbappe, who will reportedly be Madrid's number one target next summer.

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Mbappe impresses

Frenchman, in his 100th game for PSG, looked like he wanted to put on a show, puffing out his chest after an early foul by Sergio Ramos and squeezing Zidane's hand as he fetched a ball from behind his back. threat of Mbappe hung over match but Madrid were much better side, slicker in ir passing, faster with ball and more aggressive in winning it back. ir opening goal came in 17th minute and Hazard started it, skipping between Thomas Meunier and Marquinhos before switching to right. Isco struck Fede Valverde's pull-back against post before Benzema showed a cool head to find corner.

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On back foot for most of half, PSG twice went close towards end of it. Mbappe, slipped through by Angel Di Maria, opted to shoot when he might have squared for Mauro Icardi. Icardi was n brought down in area after nipping around Thibaut Courtois. Referee Artur Dias pointed to spot and showed goalkeeper a red card but a VAR review showed Idrissa Gueye had pushed Marcelo in build-up. Madrid looked to have put game to bed when Luka Modric ghosted clear and Marcelo's cross found deadly Benzema free at back post.

But celebrations had barely finished when Mbappe pulled one back, a gift as Courtois and Raphael Varane allowed Meunier's cross to slip between m, leaving 21-year-old with an open goal. It felt like a consolation but PSG had or ideas as a clever dummy from Neymar fooled entire home defence and ball canned out to Sarabia, who swept it into top corner. Both teams looked for a winner and PSG went close, Mbappe firing into side-netting before Bale's bending free-kick hit post deep into injury-time. 

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