Group A's big match between PSG was not decided by Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic or former Los Blancos wingman Angel Di Maria. A volley by home grown defender Nacho ended up giving Rafa Benitez's side the win over Les Parisiens, making them the first side to qualify for the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.
Nacho started the game as a sub, but Marcelo's injury allowed him to come into the matchup against the French champions. The Spaniard needed only two minutes to have his presence felt, as he sent a deflected shot by Toni Kroos into the back of the net with a well-placed volley, making Kevin Trapp look really bad as he failed to calculate correctly where the ball would land, leaving an open net for the Spanish defender to score.
The star-studded cast playing at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium was not able to add any more goals to the scoreboard, leaving Nacho with all the glory for his side.
Here's what fans and experts had to say about Real Madrid's brand-new ticket to play in the knockout stage.
Nacho just told us "I didn't have time to warm up, my warm up was the goal celebration!" Grande
— Phil Kitromilides (@PhilKitro) November 3, 2015
Nacho is the first @realmadriden player to score as a first-half sub in the #UCL pic.twitter.com/D5WjRrZGQs
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 3, 2015
If it weren't for Nacho's goal & Cavani's stupidity, we would've been in deep trouble right now. Very happy for Nacho.
— Ali (@RM_Insider) November 3, 2015
"After Nacho's goal, Real Madrid is the only side yet to concede a goal in this Champions League edition."
#OJOALDATO - Tras el gol de Nacho, el Real Madrid ya es el único equipo sin goles en contra en esta edición de la Champions League.
— MisterChip (Alexis) (@2010MisterChip) November 3, 2015
Breaking: Nacho dedicated his goal to Marcelo. #AnimoMarcelo
— #GraciasCarlo&Iker (@RMadridFever) November 3, 2015
Out of all people: NACHO hahaha!
— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) November 3, 2015