Courtois blasts Real Madrid team-mate for 'very stupid pass' before Mbappe goal

Thibaut Courtois vented his frustration after Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to PSG and appeared to criticise Toni Kroos for his ‘very stupid pass’ in the build-up to Kylian Mbappe’s stunning late winner in Paris.

Madrid had looked to heading back to the Bernabeu as slight favourites in the heavyweight Champions League round of 16 tie as Courtois saved Lionel Messi’s 62nd-minute penalty, but Mbappe had other ideas after Kroos lost possession just past the halfway line in stoppage time.

The German’s wayward ball to Eden Hazard was intercepted by Marquinhos and PSG worked their way up the pitch to Neymar, who in turn found Mbappe with an exquisite backheel.

Mbappe – who has been heavily linked with Los Blancos – still had so much to do out on the left byline, but burst through Eder Militao and Lucas Vazquez with ease before nutmegging Courtois with a superb finish.

The hosts held firm to ensure they start in Spain with a narrow lead on March 9 and a forlorn Courtois described his emotions as he spoke with RMC Sport shortly after the final whistle.

‘We had defended really well, then we gave away a very stupid pass… it’s very hard,’ the Madrid goalkeeper said.

‘We had not played great, but bringing a 0-0 to the Bernabeu would have been better.

‘We will have to win no matter what. We know we have to win and hopefully we can do it with the support of the fans.’

On Mbappe’s performance, the Belgian added: ‘I denied a few. 

‘His last action is quality, class. He is one of the best in the world.’

Madrid duo Casemiro and Ferland Mendy picked up bookings at the Parc des Princes and will therefore be suspended for the second leg of the tie.

‘It’s a shame they can’t be there for the return leg,’ Courtois said.

‘Mendy didn’t deserve a yellow for his foul, he had no intention of doing that. 

‘The referee was very generous with the yellow cards today.’

It was an especially hard defeat to take for Courtois given he had denied Messi from the penalty spot just past the hour-mark and the Belgian had clearly done his homework.

‘We studied it a lot because of Barcelona and what he did here,’ he added.

‘The idea was to go to the left. It was a good thing for us to stay in the game.’

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