Doue brace inspires PSG comeback win over Monaco in Champions League play-off clash | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to claim a 3-2 win at Monaco in the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off first leg on Tuesday evening.

Monaco got off to a dream start opening the scoring in the first minute, with Aleksandr Golovin floating a cross for Folarin Balogun to head home.

Joao Neves should have levelled for PSG in the 14th minute after receiving a pass inside the box, but blasted over.

Neves’ miss proved costly as Monaco went to the other end to double their lead through Balogun, who slotted past Matvey Safonov.

PSG were then awarded a penalty after Wout Faes fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Vitinha stepped up to convert, but Philip Kohn kept out his spot kick.

Moments after coming on for Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue halved the deficit, picking out the bottom corner from close range.

Achraf Hakimi completed the comeback in the 40th minute, rifling into the net after Kohn parried Doue’s shot towards him.

Kvaratskhelia nearly completed the turnaround before the break when he hit the side netting.

Shortly after the restart, Golovin was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Vitinha, reducing Monaco to 10 men.

Doue put PSG ahead for the first time in the 67th minute, slotting into the bottom-right corner for his second of the night.

The France international has now become the first PSG substitute to score a brace in the Champions League knockout stages.

Monaco pushed for an immediate response, with Denis Zakaria forcing Safonov to make a save.

PSG threatened again in the 81st minute as Bradley Barcola aimed a shot towards the bottom corner, but Kohn stuck his leg out to divert it behind for a corner.

The Monaco goalkeeper made another save before full-time, keeping his side in the tie ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg at the Parc des Princes.