CRISTIANO RONALDO SCORED twice as Real Madrid came from behind to stun Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 in the first leg of their heavyweight Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.
Ronaldo scored his 100th Champions League goal for title-holders Real from the penalty spot late in the first half to cancel out Adrien Rabiot’s opener for the French side at the Santiago Bernabeu, set up by Neymar.
The Portuguese star then turned the ball home from close range with seven minutes left before Marcelo secured what could turn out to be a decisive first-leg lead ahead of the return in Paris on 6 March and sent nearly 80,000 home fans into raptures.
The late collapse for PSG brings back echoes of the way they fell apart to lose 6-1 in Barcelona on their way to a humiliating exit at the same stage of the competition last season.
Neymar, in Barcelona’s ranks then, could not make the difference for PSG, who now have a huge job on their hands to turn the tie around.
Having looked set to come away with a precious draw, the defeat piles the pressure on coach Unai Emery, but for Real the outcome is an enormous boost for their boss Zinedine Zidane.
Under pressure himself with Real flagging domestically, he needed this win, and will earn praise for his substitutions, with Marco Asensio coming off the bench to set up each of the two late goals.
That was after Zidane had taken a risk by leaving out Gareth Bale, a key element in the side that has won three of the last four Champions Leagues. The Welshman’s place in the line-up was taken by Isco.
Emery went even further, dropping his captain Thiago Silva to make way for 22-year-old Presnel Kimpembe in the centre of the PSG defence.
Real supporters chose an image of a famous fan in Rafael Nadal to adorn a display unfurled at the south end of the ground as the sides came out, hoping their team could draw inspiration from someone who has conquered Paris 10 times as French Open champion.
The hosts started well too, while Neymar struggled, slipping when one pass was aimed towards him, complaining as a Luka Modric challenge sent him to the floor and picking up a yellow card for a foul on Nacho.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, saw Alphonse Areola make a fine save from his net-bound shot after he had been released by Marcelo, and not long after that, in the 33rd minute, PSG scored.
Neymar could claim an assist, although it didn’t look like the Brazilian meant to help Kylian Mbappe’s low ball across the box from the right into the path of Rabiot, who swept home unmarked.
PSG had a precious away goal, but they could not hold their lead until the break as Giovani Lo Celso gave away a penalty for a foul on Toni Kroos.
Areola, having just made a superb save from Karim Benzema, could do nothing to keep out Ronaldo’s spot-kick.
The visitors had chances to go ahead again in the second half, Keylor Navas saving well from Mbappe and Sergio Ramos blocking bravely from Rabiot.
Emery then surprisingly took off Edinson Cavani and replaced him with Thomas Meunier, a right-back. But it was Zidane’s decision to send on Asensio that proved crucial.
In the space of three late minutes, Asensio saw one cross palmed out by Areola and then rebound into the net off Ronaldo’s thigh, before another assist was finished off by Marcelo, potentially finishing the tie in the process.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
pair of copa mundials is all one needs.
Can you imagine trying to clean the muck off them after plying on a waterlogged pitch?!
Every parent’s worst nightmare. My wallet feels lighter already!
Time you told your kid the word no!
Ye’d wanna be fairly fast and skillful to get away with wearing them on a cold sunday in wexford
Would go down a storm in the junior b North Tipperary hurling championship! Old bitter full backs would love to see lads wearing these
Nonsense
The Metatarsal will become even more popular so!
Here’s hoping , Suarez will be the first one to try them out :-)
He is the first one actually, against united. As a Liverpool fan I’m dreading it. Imagine vidic going in on one of these things. Break your foot off
No, Suarez is trialling the knitted boot, not this.
With the sock bit I mean
Read the story about Paul Scholes purchasing boots for €30 at JD sports before his comeback at city, says it all!
How do you wash the sock? What happens if you get a hole in it!! Even worse image away matches with a different kit!!! Youd need home amd away boots!!!
Hmmm somebody on the pitch to hurt
What ever happened to good old Puma Kings?
Boots of the future hahahahahahahahahashahahahaahahahahahaahahahagagagagagahha……… Wwwwwwoooooioooooooooooo……..!
So when will the nike team blouse and tu-tu shorts be available?
Bad idea. They will weaken players ankles.
Like boxing shoes only with studs