'It's a joke! - Rio Ferdinand singles out PSG star for huge mistake in Real Madrid defeat

Rio Ferdinand has slammed Paris Saint-Germain’s ‘joke’ defending following their Champions League exit to Real Madrid, singling out Marquinhos for particular criticism.

Goals from Kylian Mbappe in each leg of the last 16 tie looked to have booked PSG’s place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

But the French giants would suffer another harrowing capitulation on the big European stage with a 17-minute hat-trick from Karim Benzema eliminating them from the competition.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side contributed greatly to their own downfall with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s error allowing the hosts to pull one back.

Benzema struck again shortly after and 12 seconds from the restart he had his third as PSG crumbled, pouncing on Marquinhos’ attempt to pass clear slot home.

And former Manchester United defender Ferdinand blasted the defensive performance at full-time.

This is a joke, for a team of this experience,’ Ferdinand told BT Sport.

‘10 and a half seconds from kick off. Marquinhos, I love as a centre half, he is one of the players who normally you wouldn’t aim any criticism at for the way he defends.

‘But [he needs to] launch it out of the stadium! Give away a corner even. It is unbelievable.’

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher was also scathing in his criticism, telling CBS Sports: ‘If Real Madrid were playing against an U15 team or a kids team this shouldn’t happen.

‘This is absolutely disgraceful.’

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