(Football news) Paris Saint-Germain were again held to a 1-1 home draw by Benfica in their Champions League Group H match as the French side failed to win their third game in a row in all competitions. PSG's star man Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring with a first-half penalty after shocking news emerged of his desire to leave the club in January before Joao Mario equalised with another penalty in the 62nd minute to give the visitors a deserved point off the game.
The result leaves PSG on top of the group on eight points from four games, ahead of Benfica on goal difference. Juventus are barely sitting in third on three points, after Irsaeli team Maccabi Haifa stunned them 2-0 earlier on Tuesday. Seemingly unperturbed by the reports regarding his future, Mbappe combined well with Neymar but PSG in the absence of Lionel Messi in attack, who was ruled out of the game with a minor calf injury, looked lacking in firepower. Mbappe was replaced in the last minute as he too limped off the pitch with a sore ankle five days before PSG face their bitter Ligue 1 rivals Marseille.
Benfica made the much brighter start, but they failed to create clear cut opportunities, while it took PSG 34 minutes to get their first shot on target through Pablo Sarabia as his weak attempt was easily saved by Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. Six minutes later, the hosts eventually took the lead when Mbappe coolly converted a penalty after Juan Bernat was fouled in the penalty box by Antonio Silva. The goal means that Kylian Mbappe has become PSG's top scorer in the Champions League with 31 goals which is one more than Edinson Cavani.
Mbappe was again on the verge of scoring six minutes into the second half, but his curled right-footed shot went just wide. Benfica then levelled the scoreline shortly after the hour mark as Mario coolly converted the spot kick after a bad foul was committed on Rafa Silva by Marco Verratti. Both teams seemed content with a point from an underwhelming encounter which leaves both the teams on the brink of qualification for the last 16. PSG now next host Maccabi Haifa on Oct. 25, while Benfica take on Juventus.
Also read: Chelsea secure convincing victory over 10 man AC Milan at San Siro
