Nacho Books Real Place

Real Madrid booked a place in the last 16 of the Champions League after the first-half substitute Nacho Fernández scored to clinch a 1-0 home win over Paris Saint-Germain.

The 25-year-old defender had been on the pitch for fewer than three minutes when he slotted in from a tight angle against the run of play, after Toni Kroos’s shot was blocked in the 35th minute.

PSG will rue their poor finishing, having missed a series of chances, especially in the first half, and went closest to scoring when Adrien Rabiot’s volley hit a post after 37 minutes.

Real have 10 points from four games in Group A while PSG, who suffered their first defeat this season, are in second place with seven.

There was a disruptive start to the game with players receiving treatment for knocks and PSG lost Marco Verratti after 17 minutes with what appeared to be a twisted ankle and he was replaced by the 20-year-old Rabiot.

It was the visitors who found their feet first with a shot from Blaise Matuidi straight at the goalkeeper Keylor Navas and then Zlatan Ibrahimovic, inside the area, stroked the ball a whisker the wrong side of the right post.

The Real full-back Marcelo then limped off after 33 minutes to add to the home side’s injury problems this season, with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema among those unfit to face the French champions.

Nacho made an instant impact by knocking the ball home after a Kroos shot deflected to him off Thiago Silva.

Real responded when Rabiot hit a post with a long-range volley and Edinson Cavani miscued with only Navas to beat in first half stoppage time.

After the restart Ángel Di María was also denied by Navas in front of goal but as the game went on Real were able to take the steam out of the contest and held on for the win.

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Madrid Draw Blank at PSG

Real Madrid took a big step towards finishing top of Group A when they held Paris Saint-Germain to a 0-0 draw in the French capital.

The French champions enjoyed most of the possession but took an over-cautious approach and injury-hit Real had the best chances through Cristiano Ronaldo and Jesé in the first half.

The Spanish 10-times European champions stayed top of the group with seven points from three games and lead PSG on goal difference, with the reverse fixture to come in Madrid in two weeks’ time.

Malmo are third on three points after beating Shakhtar Donetsk, who have yet to win a point, 1-0.

Real entered the contest having conceded only two goals in eight La Liga games and none in two matches in Europe and they looked solid throughout. They were without the injured Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodríguez.

PSG were almost at full strength with their preferred midfield of Blaise Matuidi, Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti and were only missing the centre-back David Luiz through injury.

The hosts imposed their usual possession pattern on the game and had their first clear chance after 11 minutes when Matuidi’s low shot was blocked by Keylor Navas.

Motta anchored the midfield as PSG played neatly although they were too slow up front and Ángel Di María looked clumsy while their striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a night to forget.

In true Rafael Benítez style Real played tight, looking to bring the ball forward as quickly as possible when they had the chance, but PSG were vigilant.

The visitors had a big opportunity in the 25th minute when Kevin Trapp made a fine save from Jesé after he had collected a brilliant through-ball from Toni Kroos.

The German keeper was at it again 10 minutes from the interval, tipping Ronaldo’s header over the bar as Real began to take control. Casemiro forced Trapp into another save with a long-range shot.

PSG were back in possession after the break and Edinson Cavani went close when he latched on to a cross from Motta in the 49th minute.

Lucas came on for Cavani and Di María made way for Javier Pastore as Laurent Blanc looked to spice it up up front shortly before Isco was replaced by Luka Modric for Real Madrid.

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