Ronaldo double sinks PSG, Liverpool score five in emphatic win

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – A Cristiano Ronaldo brace helped Real Madrid come back from behind to beat Paris Saint Germain 3-1 in the first-leg of their Champions round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

PSG opened the scoring through Adrien Rabiot, but a Ronaldo penalty ensured Real Madrid went into half-time level.

Ronaldo added a second after the break before defender Marcelo scored a third to seal the win for the defending champions.

Last year, Real Madrid became the first team in over a decade to win back-to-back Champions League trophies after they beat Juventus 4-1 in the final—Ronaldo had scored twice in that game as well.

PSG, who have spent millions on players like Neymar and Kylian Mbappe looked threatening throughout the match, but lapses in concentration condemned them to defeat on the night.

PSG midfielder Marco Veratti said his team were “disappointed” with the result, but remain optimistic of overturning the tie having scored a crucial away goal.

“When you play against a big team, you have to be clinical,” he said. “We still have a good chance, and we need to have confidence at home.”

Meanwhile, a Sadio Mane hat-trick helped Liverpool cruise to victory against opponents FC Porto as they beat them 5-0 in Portugal.

Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino scored in either side of the half to give the Reds a commanding aggregate lead going into March’s return leg at Anfield.

Speaking to reporters after the match, goalscorer Mane said the important thing was winning the game, although he did enjoy scoring three goals.

“We needed to play as a team, and that’s what we did,” he said. “We played great football, created great chances and scored five goals.”

“I enjoyed the fifth goal [his third] the most,” Mane added.