Real Madrid into last 16 with narrow win over PSG

Real Madrid are into the last 16 of the Champions League despite labouring to a flattering 1-0 victory over Paris Saint Germain at the Bernabeu.

Rafael Benitez's side failed to convince with a sluggish display but secured safe passage out of Group A with two games to spare thanks to this dour win and Malmo's defeat in Shakhtar Donetsk.

In truth, Los Blancos were second best for long spells against their vibrant French opponents but claimed the three points courtesy of substitute Nacho's bizarre 35th-minute volley. The defender was the unlikely match-winner as he caught out the poorly positioned Kevin Trapp within two minutes of replacing the injured Marcelo in a first period disrupted by countless stoppages.

PSG will feel they could and should have taken something from the game. Adrien Rabiot hit the post while Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani went close as the visitors pressed to get back into it. Angel Di Maria thought he had rescued a point in the last minute but saw his rasping free kick crash back off the crossbar.

Real were missing the likes of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema and it clearly showed against impressive opponents who will remain very confident of joining Madrid in the last 16 despite a first defeat in 17 matches this term.

23' - PSG CHANCE! Maxwell feeds a low pass into Zlatan who turns into acres of space and curls a low shot around Ramos but it goes past the far post.

29' - PSG CHANCE! Great effort! Zlatan curves a wonderful 35-yard free kick a few inches past the post with Navas desperately sprawling to his left. On the touchline, Rafa Benitez puffs out his cheeks. It was a close one.

35' - GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0 PSG! Real Madrid take the lead and it's a bizarre opener. Kroos tries his luck from 25 yards out but sees his effort loop up into the air. The PSG defence stops but Nacho doesn't. The defender races towards the left byline and catches Trapp out with a side-foot volley that sneaks into the far corner.

38' - OFF THE POST! Almost the perfect response from PSG. A ball from the left finds Rabiot who steers an effort towards the corner that crashes off the post and away from danger.

45+5' - CHANCES AT BOTH ENDS! A decent move from Madrid ends with Isco dragging the ball into a tight angle and forcing a smart stop out of Trapp... PSG counter from the corner and Di Maria slides in Cavani who miscues his dinked effort over Navas, allowing Real to clear it off the line!

74' - REAL MADRID CHANCE! Isco pulls clear at the back post, chests down the right-wing cross and drills in a low shot that Trapp blocks with his legs.

81' - REAL MADRID CHANCE! The visitors defend the set piece well but Real still have possession. Modric produces a lovely step over that allows Kroos to charge into the box but the German's low drive is beaten away by Trapp.

89' - OFF THE BAR! Di Maria steps up and curls a ferocious 25-yard free kick against the bar with Navas nowhere near it.

Real set a CL record by staying unbeaten in 19 consecutive group matches. They shared the record with Barcelona (18, Nov 2009 - Oct 2012).

This is the ninth season in which Real are guaranteed to progress from the (first) group phase after only four matches, the most of all teams.

Nacho becomes the first ever player to score as a substitute in the first half of a CL match for Real Madrid.

Real have now scored in their last 26 home matches in the CL, extending the record.

Keylor Navas sets a new CL record by keeping a clean sheet in his first 529 minutes. He surpassed Moya (528: Valencia, Atlético) as a keeper who did not concede a goal for longest period since his debut.

The Spanish side are unbeaten in their last nine games against French sides in Europe (W6 D3) and have lost just once (against PSG in 1994) in 14 home games against sides from across the Pyrenees (W10 D3).

Of the 32 clubs in this season's CL only two are unbeaten in all competitions this season: Real Madrid and Porto.

(Stats courtesy of Opta and Infostrada)

Real Madrid missing their all-star attack. Rafael Benitez has had to contend with a growing injury list but has continued to oversee good results despite missing the likes of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema who form part of the much hailed BBC. Real are top of La Liga and through in Europe but the performances are lacking the panache and style the Bernabeu faithful crave. In these early stages of the season Los Blancos should be able to cope without some of their most potent attacking talent but the former Liverpool boss will be hopeful it is not a recurring theme that could hamper his first season at the club as question marks remain over whether he can secure silverware with the all-conquering displays demanded.

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid). Imperious at the back as PSG dominated for long spells and piled pressure on the Real rearguard. The Spain defender was like a magnet to the ball as he repelled countless crosses to help clinch a fourth straight shut-out in the competition.

REAL MADRID: Navas 7, Danilo 6, Ramos 8, Varane 7, Marcelo 5, Kroos 6, Modric 6; Casemiro 6, Isco 7, Ronaldo 5, Jese 5. Subs: Nacho 7, Lucas 6, Kovacic n/a.

PSG: Trapp 6, Aurier 6, Luiz 7, Silva 7, Maxwell 8, Motta 7, Verratti 5, Matuidi 6, Di María 7, Ibrahimović 7, Cavani 6. Subs: Rabiot 7, Lucas Moura 6.