FINAL SCORE: 1-1
With two games remaining, Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain were both denied the chance to advance to the round of 16 of the Champions League when they played to a 1-1 draw in Paris.
They both finished Group H play tied on eight points after four games, mirroring their last meeting in Lisbon.
Before the half, Kylian Mbappe scored a penalty shot for PSG to put them in lead despite pregame rumors about his future.
Benfica managed to stay in the game after the break, and Joao Mario converted his own penalty kick to earn a point for Roger Schmidt’s team on a night with very few clear-cut opportunities.
In spite of leaving rumors, Mbappe performs well for PSG
In the past 24 hours, rumors over Mbappe’s long-term future in Paris have reappeared, with the French international reportedly dissatisfied with his position at the team.
Before the game, Luis Campos appeared to refute the rumors, stating that Mbappe is currently contracted to PSG till the year 2025.
Despite the lack of excitement on the night, Mbappe maintained his composure to score from the penalty spot after missing a penalty at the opening of 2022–23 domestic play.
Prior to the World Cup, Mbappe’s future will continue to dominate the rumors pages, but PSG is willing to uphold their contract with him.
PSG and Benfica remain on route for the round of 16 despite Juventus’ problems.
Because Juventus lost 2-0 to Maccabi Haifa in the opening Group H match, either team might advance to the round of 16 with a victory in Paris.
Both PSG and Benfica will be sure of achieving their objective, despite their individual frustration over a single point.
With only three points from four Champions League games, Max Allegri is under significant pressure in Turin. Two points from their final two games will ensure their passage into the round of 16.
Benfica vs. PSG in FULL TIME as it happened: BENFICA PSG 1 Joao Mario’s second-half penalty kick allowed Benfica to tie the game at 1-1 at the Parc des Princes, overturning Kylian Mbappe’s first penalty.
Mbappe scores in the 89th minute, but it is swiftly overturned for offside. Carlos Soler is now in his place.
added four minutes.
As the game enters its final minutes, more substitutions are made, with Vitinha and Bernat being replaced by Fabian Ruiz and Nordi Mukiele.
As the game keeps crashing, Mbappe is the most recent player to suffer an injury.
83 Minutes: As Draxler slaloms towards the box, PSG blocks behind him to prevent an immediate impact.
For the final ten minutes, Benfica makes three substitutions: Pinho, Draxler, and Diogo Gonçalves replace Ramos, Luis, and Rafa Silva.
Can either team secure a victory AND a spot in the round of 16?
Hugo Ekitike substitutes Sarabia after 73 minutes due to Gilberto’s injury for the visiting team.
First substitution of the game occurs at 68 minutes when Gilberto replaces Bah after Luis impressively tracks back on Mbappe to stop a counterattack.
Enzo Fernandez leaves Neymar on the floor in a heap while he makes another reservation for guests.
61 Minutes: Benfica made a comeback!
Verratti receives a caution for a careless challenge on Rafa Silva, and Joao Mario scores right after following a short VAR review.
55 Minutes: Paris has chances on both sides!
Goncalo Ramos nods wide, and Benfica loses a chance to tie the score as Mbappe slips past two defenders and pulls his shot just wide of the far post.
50 Minutes: Benfica had a lively start to the second half, but the away team needs a spark as PSG looks to advance tonight.
46 Minutes: We have returned!
BENFICA 0 PSG 1 HALF TIME
There were very few opportunities at either end in the opening 45 minutes, but Mbappe’s calmly executed penalty kick puts PSG up at halftime!
40 minutes in: PSG leads 1-0!
Mbappe, the player of the moment, effortlessly kicks the penalty away!
Verratti receives a caution for a careless challenge on Rafa Silva, and Joao Mario scores right after following a short VAR review.
55 Minutes: Paris has chances on both sides!
Goncalo Ramos nods wide, and Benfica loses a chance to tie the score as Mbappe slips past two defenders and pulls his shot just wide of the far post.
50 Minutes: Benfica had a lively start to the second half, but the away team needs a spark as PSG looks to advance tonight.
46 Minutes: We have returned!
HALF TIME: PSG 1, BENFICA 0 There weren’t many opportunities at either end in the opening 45 minutes, but Mbappe’s calmly taken penalty kick gives PSG the lead at the break!
40 minutes in: PSG leads 1-0!
Mbappe, the player of the moment, effortlessly kicks the penalty away!
Just after, Joao Mario is sent off for a callous foul, while Florentino Luis receives a warning for catching Sarabia.
Penalty to PSG after 39 seconds!
Juan Bernat latches onto a slide rule pass from Marco Verratti, and Antonio Silva tackles him recklessly, knocking him to the ground.
Step forward, Mbappe!
36 Minutes: Neymar releases Sarabia into the box, but Odysseas Vlachodimos, last week’s Lisbon hero, moves fast off his line to make a block.
Sarabia’s high boot strikes Grimaldo in the 30th minute, earning the Benfica physios the assignment to treat the traveling left back.
Hakimi appears to handle a pass inside the area in the 23rd minute, but a VAR offside call against Benfica saves him.
A mistimed tackle by Nicolas Otamendi on Mbappe results in a booking at the other end, with the former Manchester City player standing up for the team.
Rafa Silva is set up on the edge of the box with a chance to score for Benfica in the 20th minute, but he shoots far over the top.
15 Minutes: Mbappe makes a good effort to hold onto a dinked ball into the box, but he is immediately crowded out and Benfica take care of it.
10 minutes in: Things are getting off to a somewhat slow start here in Paris, with Mbappe forcing an early corner and Benfica simply clearing their lines.
ROUND OFF! Benfica vs. PSG: WE ARE OFF IN PARIS!
10 Minutes to Kickoff: Managers’ Predictions for PSG vs. Benfica
GALTIER: “At PSG, every week matters. There is this back-to-back games with Benfica, the game against Nice before to the break, and the much awaited showdown against Marseille on Sunday.
In terms of the odds and the games, this week is significant, but the following week and the week after that are also crucial.
SCHMIDT: “Messi is the finest player in the world in my opinion, so his absence from the game does impact things. He is a unique player since he plans the entire game ” There are other PSG players, though, who are doing well, so we’ll need to find a way to beat them. Messi won’t be there, but PSG will find a way to compensate.”
All over Israel in 30 minutes!
As a severe blow to Juventus’ ambitions of progressing from Group H, Maccabi Haifa defeated the Serie A superpower 2-0 at home.
With two group games left to play, PSG or Benfica will advance to the round of 16 if they win tonight.
PSG will take the field in the final 45 minutes. MBAPPE IS NOT LEAVING PARIS, SAYS THE CHIEF
Before tonight’s game, PSG Sporting Advisor Luis Campos asserted that neither he nor Mbappe would be leaving in January.
60 Minutes to Go: MBAPPE Starts According to Team News!
Christophe Galtier, the head coach of PSG, makes three adjustments from their weekend Ligue 1 draw against Reims.
As Mbappe directs the home team’s onslaught!
At right wing back, Achraf Hakimi replaces Nordi Mukiele, and Vitinha now partners Marco Verratti in the middle of the field in lieu of Fabian Ruiz.
As Carlos Soler exits, Neymar begins the attack alongside Mbappe and Pablo Sarabia.
Roger Schmidt, the manager of Benfica, makes four changes to the lineup following the team’s 4-2 victory over Rio Ave.
As part of a 4-3-3 formation change in Paris, Alexander Bah and Alex Grimaldo replace Gilberto Moraes Junior and Mihailo Risti at full back. Florentino Luis and Rafa Silva also start.