Jamie Carragher slams PSG’s ’embarrassing’ defending for Real Madrid’s match-winning third goal

Jamie Carragher described PSG‘s defending for Real Madrid’s match-winning third goal on Wednesday night as ‘absolutely disgraceful’ as the French side were sent crashing out of the Champions League. 

The Parisians looked to be heading for the quarter-finals as they led 2-0 on aggregate at half-time, but a 17-minute hat-trick from Madrid’s Karim Benzema turned the tie on its head and saw the Spanish giants progress. 

Benzema’s third goal came just 11 seconds after the game restarted following his second of the night, as PSG lost their composure at the back, and ex-Liverpool defender Carragher pulled no punches talking on CBS Sports after the match.  

Karim Benzema scored Real Madrid’s third goal just 11 seconds after the game restarting

Jamie Carragher described PSG’s defending for the match-winner as ‘absolutely disgraceful’

‘This is absolutely embarrassing, 11 seconds,’ Carragher said. ‘If Real Madrid were playing against an Under-15 team or a kids team, this shouldn’t happen,’ Carragher said. 

‘This is absolutely disgraceful, it really is. Players at this level, where they’ve just got to dig in and fight. 

‘They really have, obviously really difficult position where they’ve just conceded two goals but to do that straight from a kick-off is absolutely embarrassing.’

Former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry singled out PSG captain Marquinhos in particular for failing to clear the ball properly – instead presenting it on a plate for Benzema.  

Former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry singled out PSG captain Marquinhos in particular

The PSG captain failed to clear the ball properly, instead presenting it on a plate for Benzema

‘It’s pretty obvious that Marquinhos has these type of mistakes, he did it a lot in the game,’ Henry said. ‘Instead of clearing the ball he tried to play and pass the ball to Kimpembe, but Benzema was alert and arrived there before him! 

PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is now facing the sack, with club president Nasser Al-Khelafi furious at the Bernabeu collapse.

Pochettino took over at PSG in December 2020, having been out of work for over a year, but missed out on the Ligue 1 title last year to Lille.