Agency :
Dominik Szoboszlai converted a penalty in stoppage time as RB Leipzig held Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who were without the injured Lionel Messi, to a 2-2 draw in the Champions League on Wednesday.
PSG had been cruising to an away win and were 2-1 up with 90 minutes gone in Leipzig as Georginio Wijnaldum netted twice to cancel out Christopher Nkunku’s early goal for the hosts.
In the dying seconds, Leipzig were awarded a penalty when PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe leaped onto Nkunku as a cross came in and substitute Szoboszlai made no mistake with the spot kick.
“We didn’t start well, but Leipzig did and we had to get back in the game,” Wijnaldum told DAZN.
“We created second-half chances, but also gave a lot away too.
“We have to learn from that and control the game better, because we were 2-1 up and should have put our chances away. There is a lot of room for improvement.”
With Messi sidelined, the draw cost PSG first place in Group A and left them a point behind new leaders Manchester City, who thrashed Club Brugge 4-1.
PSG meet City in Manchester in three weeks’ time.
“Being second to City doesn’t change anything for us,” PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said.
“We need to have the desire to go there and win the game to try to be top of the group.”
Leipzig’s faint hopes of reaching the last 16 were ended as they remain bottom of their group despite earning their first point in Europe after three previous defeats.
“We should have won this game and it’s a bit of a pity that we didn’t take our chances,” said Leipzig’s American coach Jesse Marsch, who was booked in the first half for arguing with the referee.
“If we had gone 2-0, it would have been very hard for PSG,” he added, referring to Andre Silva’s weak penalty attempt that was saved shortly after Nkunku’s opening goal.
The German club put up a fight in the 3-2 defeat at PSG a fortnight ago and made a lightning start on Wednesday.
With barely 20 seconds gone, PSG captain Marquinhos had to clear off the line as Silva got in behind the defence and forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a save.
The hosts kept up the pressure and deservedly took the lead when Silva’s cross was met with a superb diving header by Nkunku to claim his fifth Champions League goal in four games.
