Real Madrid beat Paris Saint-Germain to secure last-16 place

Real Madrid beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the teams' Group A Champions League match Tuesday to secure a place in the Champions League knockout round for the 19th straight season.

In the 35th minute, a Toni Kroos shot was deflected high into the air in the PSG penalty area. An onrushing Kevin Trapp found himself out of position as Nacho beat him to the ball and struck a nice first-time volley into the visitor's side netting.

Nacho had just entered the match in the 33rd minute for Marcelo, who left with an apparent injury. It was the Spaniard's first goal for los Blancos in 13 Champions League appearances.

The goal was against the run of play, as it was PSG who applied the majority of pressure in the first half. Blaise Matuidi's first-time effort from an Angel Di Maria cross was well struck, but went right to Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic got the next chance for PSG, but his curling effort from 18 yards went just wide of the Real goal. The Sweden international saw another effort miss wide right minutes later from a set piece.

Both teams had chances to score in first-half injury time, but Isco's effort from close range was blocked by Trapp. Edinson Cavani's attempt with just Navas to beat was cleared off the goal line by Raphael Varane before it could find the back of the net.

PSG picked up where they left off in the first half, as Di Maria had a clear look at goal from 18 yards out, but once again his shot went right to a waiting Navas.

Cristiano Ronaldo had been quiet most of the night, but he did get a long-range look at goal in the 50th minute only for his effort to blaze over the PSG goal.

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PSG continued to apply pressure, but their play in Real's defensive third yielded few chances and Laurent Blanc's team seemed to be running out of ideas.

Real continued to press forward as the game opened up and nearly had a second in the 74th minute. A loose ball dropped to Isco's feet in the PSG penalty area, but his right-footed shot was parried wide of the goal by Trapp.

Lucas Moura came on for Matuidi in the 75th minute, but the Brazilian was unable to spark the PSG attack.

Di Maria almost beat Navas at the near post from a corner kick, but the Madrid keeper was able to clear the line to preserve his clean sheet.

Isco, who had sustained a cut to his head that was bleeding throughout the match, was substituted in the 81st minute for Mateo Kovacic.

In the game's dying moments, Di Maria almost found the leveller for PSG. His free-kick was curling for the upper-left corner of the Real Madrid goal, but it hit the crossbar and flew out of bounds.

The teams battled to a 0-0 draw in their first meeting in group play on Oct. 21.