PSG vs Manchester City Report
Scorers: Dembele 56’, Barcola 61’, Neves 78’, Ramos 90+6’; Grealish 50’, Haaland 53’
Paris Saint-Germain staged an extraordinary second-half comeback, overcoming a two-goal deficit to secure a thrilling 4-2 victory over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League (UCL).
The result dramatically reshapes the league phase standings, with PSG leapfrogging City into the qualification spots, leaving Guardiola’s side facing a nervy final matchday.
First Half: Rain-Soaked Stalemate
The opening 45 minutes at the Parc des Princes set the stage for a captivating contest, with both sides knowing the stakes.
Erling Haaland’s header from Phil Foden’s cross was comfortably saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Fabian Ruiz’s drilled effort at the other end was cleared off the line by Joško Gvardiol.
As the half drew to a close, both teams missed golden opportunities. Donnarumma denied Savinho with a sharp near-post save, while Nuno Mendes’ electrifying run and cutback ended in Achraf Hakimi firing home, only for VAR to chalk it off for the slimmest of offsides.
Second Half: A Frenetic Turnaround
Three HT substitutions highlighted the intent of both managers to seize control. City struck first in the 50th minute when Manuel Akanji surged down the right flank, delivering a precise cutback for Bernardo Silva.
While Donnarumma parried Silva’s shot, Jack Grealish was on hand to convert with his first touch off the bench.
Moments later, Grealish turned provider, his deflected pass setting up Haaland for a simple tap-in to make it 2-0. City looked to have one foot in the knockout stages, but PSG had other plans.
- Dembélé Sparks the Fightback: Ousmane Dembélé, introduced at halftime, reignited PSG’s hopes with a clinical finish following a surging run from Bradley Barcola.
- Barcola Levels It: Just minutes later, Désiré Doué rattled the crossbar and Barcola reacted quickest, slotting in to make it 2-2.
Late Drama and PSG’s Triumph
City struggled to regain composure as PSG continued their assault. Dembélé dazzled with skill, nutmegging Bernardo Silva and smashing a shot off the crossbar.
The relentless pressure finally told in the 81st minute when João Neves rose to meet Vitinha’s set-piece, nodding in at the back post to complete the comeback.
While Dembélé had a second goal disallowed for offside, PSG weren’t finished. Deep into stoppage time, Gonçalo Ramos sealed the victory, finishing a swift counterattack to send the home crowd into raptures.
Match Insights
- PSG’s Resilience: Despite falling two goals behind, PSG showcased determination and quality to secure a vital win.
- City’s Defensive Woes: Defensive lapses and failure to manage PSG’s second-half intensity proved costly.
- Group Dynamics: PSG move into the qualification spots with one game remaining, while City drop out of contention, needing a win and results elsewhere to progress.
What’s Next?
PSG face a challenging final matchday away fixture against Stuttgart, needing a positive result to secure their place in the knockouts for a 13th consecutive season.
Meanwhile, City must regroup quickly and hope for a miracle to avoid an unthinkable early exit, as they face Club Brugge at home on matchday 8.
For more info on this game’s outcome, you may also visit:
Paris vs Man City | UEFA Champions League 2024/25