Zinedine Zidane blames 'cruel football' for costing Real Madrid victory against PSG

French side fight back from 2-0 down to earn a draw in Champions League

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema celebrates after opening the scoring against PSG in their Champions League group game at the Bernabeu. EPA

Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring Real Madrid's second goal against PSG. Getty

Referee Artur Dias points to the penalty box before watching the VAR monitor and cancelling his decision to award PSG a penalty. AP

Referee Artur Dias watches the VAR monitor and then reverse his decision. AP

Real Madrid's Eden Hazard is injured during the Champions League match against Paris Saint Germain at the Bernabeu. AP

PSG's Kylian Mbappe scores his side's opening goal as they fight back from 2-0 down. AP

PSG's Pablo Sarabia celebrates scoring his side's secod goal during at the Bernabeu. AP

Neymar in action against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Getty

Keylor Navas of PSG reaches for the ball as Gareth Bale of Real Madrid hits the post from a freekick. Getty

Zinedine Zidane blamed "cruel football" after Real Madrid threw away a two-goal lead against Paris St Germain in a dramatic draw in their Champions League clash at the Bernabeu.

In-form forward Karim Benzema put Real ahead before PSG saw a first-half penalty and red card for Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois overturned on VAR review.

Benzema made it 2-0 with a header in the 79th minute - but Kylian Mbappe swiftly bundled in a scrappy close-range effort to reignite the tie before substitute Pablo Sarabia lashed in a dramatic equaliser.

Substitute Gareth Bale - embroiled in another country-versus-club row over the international break - came on for the injured Eden Hazard, who could now be a doubt for Real's next El Classico clash with Barcelona on December 18 after sustaining an ankle injury.

The Wales forward then almost snatched a winner for the hosts in stoppage time when his curling free-kick hit the post.

The result means PSG will progress as group winners, regardless of the final round of European fixtures.

Zidane said: "It was total football, playing very well and creating chances. Sometimes football is a bit cruel, but we accept it. I keep all the good we did.

"We must also thank the fans who have supported us from the beginning. I had fun, I imagine them too.

"I liked everything, completely, and everyone. We stayed with the game we played and we kept growing. The players deserved to win.

"It has been a display of a great game, not only for us, but they have also played very well. You have to be happy with the game. Then with the result you can not be happy.

"But you have to be happy with what we did for 80 or 85 minutes - if we play like this, I sign for it every day."

Zidane, though, expressed concerns over Hazard's fitness, with the showdown against Barcelona on the horizon.

"It is more than a simple blow to the ankle, it is and a twist as well," the Real Madrid coach said. "Hopefully it will be okay. I can't say it right now. They have now gone to do the tests and we will see."

PSG may well have felt justice was done in the end following the VAR controversy towards the end of the first half.

Courtois had initially been shown a red card for bringing down Mauro Icardi just inside the box and a spot-kick awarded.

However, there was a check by VAR and Portuguese referee Artur Dias chose to take a look at the pitch-side monitor.

He quickly decided Idrissa Gueye had pushed Marcelo in the back, so he promptly chalked off both the penalty and Courtois' dismissal to award Real Madrid a free-kick instead.

PSG coach Thomas Tuchel was less than impressed. "I thought that rule was only to be used if the referee had made a clear wrong decision. It was not a big mistake," the German said.

"I do not think that the VAR should have called him at this time."

Tuchel, though, praised the character of his team to never give up on the result.

"We showed our mentality. We never gave up. After we got the first goal, it was easier for us. It's possible for us to improve. We have to stay calm. We have 13 points after five games and we have won the group."