Anderlecht deny Paris with draw

Paris Saint-Germain still require another point to qualify for the UEFA Champions League last 16 after needing a Zlatan Ibrahimović equaliser to stave off the prospect of a shock loss to RSC Anderlecht at the Parc des Princes.

Laurent Blanc's side enjoyed a comfortable 5-0 triumph in Brussels last time out and many were predicting an even more punishing night for Anderlecht in the French capital. Instead, they proved far more tenacious and took a surprise lead via Demy de Zeeuw on 68 minutes. Ibrahimović levelled moments later and John van den Brom's charges lost Sacha Kljestan to a late red card, but they ultimately held firm for their first point in Group C.

Joint-top scorers with Real Madrid CF in the group stage after matchday three, Paris threatened to add to their tally with little over five minutes gone when Thiago Motta lofted a ball into the area for Ezequiel Lavezzi. The Argentina forward's header sailed narrowly over, yet the hosts were soon back knocking at Anderlecht's door, Ibrahimović fizzing an effort even closer to the crossbar.

The tone appeared to have been set, but the visitors were given an injection of belief when Aleksandar Mitrović drove an attempt too high. Tentatively, Les Mauves began edging their way forward, and after Mitrović obliged Salvatore Sirigu to save low to his left, Dennis Praet missed the target with an ambitious volley.

There was an energy and fluidity missing from Paris's play, but they started the second period with the same eagerness they had displayed at the onset of the first, forcing Anderlecht to serve up a series of vital blocks and interceptions. The pressure was clearly rising, with Ibrahimović nodding wide from a corner and Lucas volleying off target from the Sweden captain's clever, scooped pass.

Anderlecht's resistance was impressive to behold, though no one was prepared for them to open the scoring. Open it they did, though, De Zeeuw slotting the ball past Sirigu after Praet had worked it down the left and Kljestan picked out his team-mate from the edge of the area.

The Parc des Princes seemed to convulse with shock – until Ibrahimović rapidly levelled the scores, poking the ball in from close range after his initial effort had been turned onto the post by Thomas Kaminski. That handed Les Rouge et Bleu fresh impetus, and they received another boost when Kljestan picked up a second yellow card for handball. A winner nonetheless proved beyond them, meaning they still have work to do when Olympiacos FC visit on 27 November.