Paris Saint-Germain delivered a thrilling turnaround to keep their UEFA Champions League hopes alive, overturning an early deficit to defeat AS Monaco 3-2 in the first-leg play-off on Tuesday night.
The French champions found themselves in an early quagmire, conceding two goals before they had properly settled into the match. Folarin Balogun struck twice for Monaco within the first 18 minutes, including a first-minute opener after capitalising on a defensive lapse from PSG. The early onslaught seemed to put Mauricio Pochettino’s side on the back foot, raising questions about their composure on hostile territory.
Yet PSG demonstrated remarkable resilience. They clawed back into the match through the brilliance of their attackers. Substitute Dazierre Doué pulled one back just two minutes after coming on for the injured Ousmane Dembélé in the 29th minute, restoring hope for the visitors. Ashraf Hakimi levelled proceedings in the 41st minute with a precise strike, setting the stage for a dramatic second half.
The second period saw Monaco reduced to ten men when Aleksandr Golovin received a straight red card early in the half, severely undermining their ability to contain PSG. With numerical superiority, the Parisians asserted dominance, enjoying 73% possession across the ninety minutes and launching 29 attempts on goal, 12 of which were on target. Doué secured the decisive goal in the 67th minute with clinical finishing, sealing a memorable comeback for the French side.
Key Match Statistics
| Statistic | PSG | Monaco |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 2 |
| Possession | 73% | 27% |
| Shots | 29 | 10 |
| Shots on Target | 12 | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Substitutions | 3 | 3 |
Meanwhile, in another first-leg fixture, Juventus suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat at the hands of Galatasaray, putting the Italian giants on the back foot ahead of the second leg scheduled for Wednesday night.
PSG’s spirited response against Monaco not only salvaged their opening-leg performance but also sent a clear message ahead of the return fixture: despite early adversity, they remain formidable contenders in Europe’s elite competition. With confidence restored and key players like Doué and Hakimi in prime form, the French champions will approach the second leg with renewed belief.