PSG Survive Scare Against Monaco, Reach UCL Round of 16 | OneFootball

In the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg, Paris had another scare early on, just like in the first leg, but this time Monaco’s Mamadou Coulibaly missed a sitter from a pass by Maghnes Akliouche. Eight metres from goal, his right-footed half-volley flew over Matvey Safonov’s crossbar (0-0, 9′).

Paris failed to control the game, and Monaco had the best chances after half an hour (0-0, 30′). PSG struggled to impose their rhythm and, despite Bradley Barcola’s shot hitting the bar (0-0, 41′), it was Monaco who logically opened the scoring just before the break. Caio Henrique crossed back for Coulibaly, who cleverly laid the ball off to Akliouche. The France international beat Matvey Safonov with a well-placed left-footed shot (0-1, 45′).

In the second half, João Neves came close to equalizing from a Vitinha free kick, but Philipp Köhn deflected the Portugal international’s header for a corner (0-1, 50′). PSG came back from the dressing room with better intentions, and Monaco were reduced to 10 men following the sending off of Coulibaly, who received two yellow cards in three minutes (0-1, 58′).

In the ensuing action, Désiré Doué crossed for Marquinhos, who sent the Parc des Princes into raptures. The Brazilian captain equalized with his right foot (1-1, 60′) to score his second goal in the competition this season.

With a numerical advantage, Paris found more solutions, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave PSG the lead by converting a shot from Achraf Hakimi that was parried by Köhn (2-1, 66′). The Georgian scored his fourth goal of the season in the Champions League with his right foot.

Monaco equalized at the very end of the match through Jordan Teze (2-2, 90’+1). The goal did not change anything for PSG, who can thank Coulibaly, whose sending-off literally changed the course of the match.

PSG Qualifies for the Champions League Round of 16 for the 14th Consecutive Time

The draw will take place on Friday, February 27, when we will find out whether the European champions will face FC Barcelona or Chelsea FC. As has been the case throughout the season, PSG are not as dominant as last season, but for now, in both the Champions League and Ligue 1, PSG are more than ever in contention to win both competitions.