You just cannot beat the Champions League on knockout nights, and Wednesday's drama between Real Madrid and PSG was just another example of that.
With PSG 1-0 up from the first-leg, and 1-0 up on the night at half-time thanks to a classy goal from Kylian Mbappé, the tie seemed over for Real Madrid.
But, thanks to some huge clangers from PSG's defence, and some brilliance from Karim Benzema, the Spaniards completed an extraordinary second-half comeback.
Real Madrid 3-1 PSG: Parisians collapse in the Champions League once more
With Lionel Messi on their books, and Kylian Mbappé on top form, this seemed like the year PSG could finally break their Champions League duck. Even though they finished second in their group behind Manchester City, they were firmly among the competition's favourites going into the knockout stages.
A 1-0 first leg win over Real Madrid had them in a great place, thanks to a wonder goal from Mbappé - who is strongly linked with a move to the Spanish capital this summer. When the Frenchman added another in the first-half of the second leg in Madrid, it appeared as though PSG would be heading through.
With less than half an hour to go, however, everything changed. Seemingly under no pressure, PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma took an unnecessary touch in the area, and found himself under pressure from Karim Benzema. Donnarumma cleared the ball straight to Real man Vinicius Jr, who squared the ball back to Benzema, bringing Real level on the night.
1-1 at the Bernabeu!!! 🏟
A HUGE mistake from Donnarumma gifts Vinicius an easy pass to Benzema, who taps in from close range! ⚪️#UCL pic.twitter.com/1oFZ51LSgL— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) March 9, 2022
With just fifteen minutes to go, another goal from Benzema brought Real level on aggregate, and the game was headed to extra-time. Given PSG had been in complete control of the tie at half-time of the second leg, it was a scarcely believable turnaround - and it was about to get worse.
As PSG kicked off following Benzema's second goal, they found themselves immediately under pressure from another Real onslaught. It was another defensive mistake that would put the Spaniards ahead on the night. Experienced defender Marquinhos passed the ball straight to Benzema, who made no mistake in completing an extraordinary hat trick.
𝗢𝗛 𝗠𝗬 𝗚𝗢𝗗 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗭𝗘𝗠𝗔!!! ⚽️⚽️⚽️
The Frenchman gets his third straight from kick-off to put Real Madrid 3-2 up in the tie! #UCL pic.twitter.com/ZhUZeHVV5E— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) March 9, 2022
It leaves Real Madrid in the draw for the quarter-finals, and PSG shell shocked by yet another collapse on the biggest stage in Europe.
This week brought the five-year anniversary of their capitulation when 4-0 up against Barcelona, and the three-year anniversary of Manchester United's comeback from 2-0 down against the Parisians.
The quickfire, self-inflicted nature of Real Madrid's three goal salvo in the last half-hour of this tie may make it the worst of the lot for PSG.
If Kylian Mbappé wasn't already heading to Madrid before this tie, he's surely weighing up his options now.
SEE ALSO: Jurgen Klopp: 'The Art Of Football Is To Lose The Right Games'
