Real Madrid booked their place in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 as they withstood a barrage of first-half Paris Saint-Germain attacks to claim a narrow Group A victory.<\/p>\n
The visitors took the initiative from the off and wonderful interplay down the right set the tone as \u00c1ngel Di Mar\u00eda, back at the Santiago Bernab\u00e9u, fed the marauding Serge Aurier.<\/p>\n
Blaise Matuidi met the Ivorian\u2019s centre; Keylor Navas was equal to the midfielder\u2019s effort. Zlatan Ibrahimovi\u0107 then curled two attempts just wide, but it was Madrid who struck first as they made Paris pay for their profligacy.<\/p>\n
Toni Kroos\u2019s long-range drive was deflected high into the air and though there appeared no immediate danger, goalkeeper Kevin Trapp slipped as he came to claim and defender Nacho\u00a0\u2013 brought on two minutes before\u00a0\u2013 volleyed into an open goal.<\/p>\n
Paris\u2019s morale seemed unaffected as substitute Adrien Rabiot hit the post before Edinson Cavani saw his clipped shot cleared off the line with the final kick of the first period. The second half was less frantic, the French title holders continuing to enjoy the majority of the ball without creating the same volume of chances.<\/p>\n
Di Mar\u00eda tested Navas and rattled the bar from a free-kick with two minutes left, yet Madrid held on to secure victory and move three points clear in Group A.<\/p>\n
Madrid show resolve It is often said the mark of true champions is not playing well and winning and that is just what Madrid did.<\/p>\n
They stood firm despite a number of Paris threats\u00a0\u2013 and at times rode their luck\u00a0\u2013 to earn three points, top spot in the group and a place in the last 16 with two matchdays to spare.<\/p>\n
Strength in reserve Losing a player in the first period is never easy, yet both Madrid and Paris replaced the injured duo of Marcelo and Marco Verratti with ease.<\/p>\n
Moments after coming on for the Brazilian, Nacho opened the scoring with what was virtually his first touch, while Rabiot showed composure in the centre of the pitch, smacking a post with an excellent volley.<\/p>\n
Tale of two goalkeepers Neither glovesman had conceded in this season\u2019s UEFA Champions League, but it was Navas who ended the evening as the only unbeaten custodian in the 2015\/16 competition.<\/p>\n
While Trapp was caught out for Nacho\u2019s goal, Navas\u00a0\u2013 who almost left Madrid in the summer\u00a0\u2013 brought security and composure to his side, making two smart saves to keep his record intact.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: UEFA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Real Madrid booked their place in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 as they withstood a barrage of first-half Paris Saint-Germain attacks to claim a narrow Group A victory. The visitors took the initiative from the off and wonderful interplay down the right set the tone as \u00c1ngel Di Mar\u00eda, back at the Santiago […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":164413,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[29,3,38],"yoast_head":"\n