Kylian Mbappe scores but PSG held to draw by Benfica

Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 1-1 home draw by Benfica in their Champions League Group H clash on Tuesday as the French side failed to win for the third game in a row in all competitions.

PSG's Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring with a first-half penalty -- after news emerged of his desire to leave the club in January -- before Joao Mario equalised with another spot kick in the 62nd minute to give the visitors a deserved share of the points.

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The result left PSG top of the group on eight points from four games, ahead of Benfica on goals scored.

Juventus are third on three points, ahead of Maccabi Haifa after they were stunned 2-0 by the Israeli team earlier on Tuesday.

Seemingly unperturbed by the reports around his future, Mbappe combined well with Neymar but PSG lacked something in attack in the absence of Lionel Messi, who was ruled out of the game with a calf injury.

Mbappe was replaced in the last minute as he limped off the pitch with a sore ankle five days before PSG face bitter Ligue 1 rivals Marseille.

Benfica made the brighter start, although they failed to create clear chances, while it took PSG 34 minutes to get their first shot on target through Pablo Sarabia, whose weak attempt was easily saved by Odysseas Vlachodimos.

Six minutes later, however, the hosts took the lead when Mbappe coolly converted a penalty after Juan Bernat had been fouled in the area by Antonio Silva. The goal meant he became PSG's top scorer in the Champions League with 31 goals -- one more than Edinson Cavani.

Mbappe was at it again six minutes into the second half, but his curled, right-footed effort went just wide.

Benfica then levelled shortly after the hour as Mario converted a spot kick after a bad foul on Rafa Silva by Marco Verratti.

Both teams seemed content with a point from an underwhelming encounter which leaves them on the brink of qualification for the last 16.

PSG next host Maccabi Haifa on Oct. 25, when Benfica will take on Juventus.