Shaken in the first half and trailing at the break, PSG drew 2-2 with Monaco at the Parc des Princes in the second leg of their Champions League playoff. Reduced to ten men, the visitors eventually buckled under Parisian pressure. After a match that remained uncertain for a long time, Paris ultimately secured their qualification.
Monaco had started brightly. Akliouche caused problems from the outset, Coulibaly squandered a huge chance, and Kehrer nearly opened the scoring with a header. Too imprecise and overrun in midfield, PSG struggled to find their rhythm despite a Barcola effort that struck the crossbar. Just before halftime, Akliouche converted Monaco’s dominance (0-1), completely reigniting the suspense.
Paris Turn the Game Around After Monaco Red Card
After the break, Paris raised their intensity. Joao Neves forced Köhn into a sharp reflex save before the match turned within minutes. Already booked, Coulibaly was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Hakimi (58’). Moments later, Doué surged forward and set up Marquinhos for the equalizer (1-1, 60’).
With the numerical advantage, PSG increased the pressure. Hakimi kept pushing forward until Kvaratskhelia capitalized on a rebound from Köhn to give his side the lead (2-1, 66’). Monaco, stunned, barely responded, despite a commanding late intervention from Safonov to deny Adingra. Managing the final fifteen minutes, Luis Enrique rotated his squad, but Paris conceded a late equalizer after Adingra’s cross was deflected by Pacho and finished by Teze. The match ended 2-2, yet PSG still advanced—albeit with a major scare.
PSG Player Ratings
Safonov (6): Rarely tested in the first half but decisive against Balogun and commanding off his line.
Hakimi (8): Relentless down his flank. Indirect assist on the second goal and constantly dangerous going forward.
Marquinhos (7): Opportunistic scorer for the equalizer and a true leader after the break.
Pacho (6.5): Solid in duels with several key interventions.
Nuno Mendes (6): Energetic but occasionally inaccurate. Replaced by Hernandez (82’).
Zaïre-Emery (5.5): Quiet display, substituted late on.
Vitinha (7): The orchestrator, involved in the second goal and valuable on set pieces.
Joao Neves (6.5): Highly active with a dangerous header in the second half.
Doué (7): Provided the assist for Marquinhos and was very lively before coming off.
Barcola (6): Hit the crossbar and created problems in the first half.
Kvaratskhelia (7.5): Decisive scorer and a constant threat after halftime.
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