Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has refused to criticise his side after they threw away a two-goal lead as Paris St Germain fought back to secure a dramatic draw in their Champions League clash at the Bernabeu.

Los Blancos were already secure of qualification to the knockout stage from Group A following the 1-1 draw between Brugge and Galatasaray in Tuesday’s earlier kick-off.

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 18 December 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 – previously unbeaten without conceding a goal – will progress as group winners, regardless of the final round of European fixtures.

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

‘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.’