PSG 1-0 Real Madrid: 5 Talking Points as Kylian Mbappe stuns Los Blancos with late winner | UEFA Champions League 2021-22

#3 Real Madrid's veterans outdone by the Verratti show

Real Madrid were outplayed by PSG's midfield

On a night for which Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe will grab all the headlines, PSG's Marco Verratti was the most influential player on the pitch. The Italian was up against a world-class midfield and made it look like a walk in the park.

Real Madrid have arguably one of the best midfield trios in the history of the UEFA Champions League at their disposal. Luka Modric, Casemiro, and Toni Kroos started in their quintessential positions but were systematically dismantled by PSG's very own technician.

Verratti showed incredible poise in a particularly tense midfield environment and was one of PSG's best players against Real Madrid. The Parisians have some of the most lethal attacking firepower in the world this season but will not deliver such performances without their prodigious midfield orchestrator.

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#2 Thibaut Courtois denies Lionel Messi his magic moment

Lionel Messi missed a big chance tonight

Lionel Messi knows Real Madrid a little too well. The flip side? Real Madrid know the Argentine maestro even better.

Messi has tormented Real Madrid with Barcelona and his history with Los Blancos meant that this was supposed to be a game of epic proportions. Thibaut Courtois had other ideas, however, and made Messi wait a little longer for his Real Madrid reunion goal with a typically astute save.

Lionel Messi was visibly not at his best on the night and was surprisingly inaccurate with his passing in the final third. The former Barcelona man did not look like his usual supernatural self and now has a statement to make in the second leg.

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#1 Kylian Mbappe passes his Real Madrid audition with flying colours

Kylian Mbappe was excellent against Real Madrid

Of all the Madridistas waiting with bated breath for Kylian Mbappe's arrival in the Spanish capital, Dani Carvajal must now be at the top of the list. The Spanish full-back was eviscerated by Mbappe on multiple occasions and could do nothing about the Frenchman's pace.

Lucas Vazquez was given the task in the final half-hour and he fared no better. Mbappe made short work of Real Madrid's utility man and scored a pearl of a goal with less than 30 seconds of stoppage-time left to play.

Kylian Mbappe may well be leaving PSG at the end of the season but his performance tonight will leave a lasting impact on Parc des Princes. As far as loyalties are concerned, the fearsome winger remains focussed as ever.