Paris Saint-Germain extended their unbeaten UEFA Champions League run to 12 matches with a stunning 4-2 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, marking their first-ever win at the venue.
Despite entering the match with an aura of invincibility following six straight Premier League wins, City were swiftly brought back down to earth by the reigning European champions. PSG started aggressively, opening the scoring in the 13th minute after a brilliant length-of-the-pitch passing sequence culminated in Desire Doue finishing from the edge of the area. Just two minutes later, Doue set up Ousmane Dembele, whose far-post header doubled the advantage.
PSG continued to dominate the first half. Achraf Hakimi struck the post before Vitinha swept home a third goal following a deft flick from Warren Zaïre-Emery. City struggled to respond, with their best opportunity before the break coming when Josko Gvardiol headed a corner wide.
City made a triple substitution at halftime, and early in the second half, Antoine Semenyo and Enzo Fernandez combined to set up a chance that Fernandez narrowly headed wide. Erling Haaland soon ignited hopes of a comeback, flicking in a cross from Iliman Ndiaye in the 53rd minute to become the club’s all-time leading scorer in the Champions League.
However, any momentum was short-lived. A goalkeeping error by Gianluigi Donnarumma, who inadvertently palmed Maghnes Akliouche’s shot into the air, allowing it to drop over the line restored PSG’s three-goal cushion.
Although City continued to press, with Gvardiol, Fernandez, and Haaland threatening, Haaland eventually added a second goal by sweeping home Ayyoub Bouaddi’s cutback. PSG squandered a chance to seal the match comfortably when Ferran Torres missed a penalty late in the game, but the visitors held on to secure their fifth consecutive competitive victory and halt City’s eight-match winning streak.
Sports Vibe Man of the Match: Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain)