PLAYER RATINGS | Chelsea 0-3 PSG: Champions League winners eliminate fragile Blues to progress in the quarter-finals | OneFootball

UEFA Champions League, Round of 16 second leg, 17/03/2026

On the back of their 5-2 home win in the first leg, PSG doubled their lead on aggregate with a dominant 3-0 away win at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Senny Mayulu.

The Match

Chelsea had the proverbial mountain to climb in hosting Champions League winners PSG for the return leg after a chastening 5-2 defeat at Parc des Princes in the first leg. Liam Rosenior had to change personel at the back following last week’s defensive horror show with Mamadou Sarr filling in at right-back to compensate for the absences of both Reece James and Malo Gusto.

The former Strasbourg man was at fault right away as Matvey Safonov arrowed a clearance that Sarr could not handle properly under pressure from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian winger picked Sarr’s pocket and delivered the fatal hammer blow in the tie with Chelsea now needing four unanswered goals.

The Blues’ deficit swelled again following a midfield mix-up between Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo. Warren Zaïre-Emery combined with Achraf Hakimi for the ball to gently fall for Bradley Barcola, who made it back-to-back Champions League screamers with a perfect half-volley in Robert Sanchez’s left top corner.

Like they did in the first leg, PSG were ruthlessly clinical as their first two attempts found the back of the net. Les Parisiens were purring and putting on a show, although not the kind that Chelsea fans enjoy as some of them exited the premises. The Blues were febrile at the back, outfoxed in midfield and harmless going forward in the opening half hour.

PSG’s grip on the tie loosened with the hosts missing a handful of chances from João Pedro, Cole Palmer and Jorrel Hato, and everytime Matvey Safonov rose to the occasion with smart saves to maintain PSG’s healthy lead.

Chelsea enjoyed more possession in the second half, but they still could not find a way past PSG defenders. And when they did, Safonov was there again to deny them. Rosenior effectively laid down arms with Enzo Fernandez, João Pedro and Palmer recalled to the bench at the hour mark. Luis Enrique’s subs had a different impact.

Kvaratskhelia was involved again on his left side. His cutback found Senny Mayulu, who lashed in a powerful left-footer in Sanchez’s top corner. With a five-goal lead in the tie, Les Parisiens eased off with the introductions of fresh legs in a deserted Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s night worsened with Trevoh Chalobah stretchered off the pitch after Rosenior had used all his substitutions. PSG eventually progress to the Champions League quarter-finals – where Galatasaray or Liverpool await – courtesy of an impressive 8-2 aggregate win.

PSG Player Ratings

Matvey Safonov, 8

The Russian goalkeeper was fautless in maintaining PSG’s lead with a couple of important saves in both halves to snuff out any remaining hopes of an unlikely Chelsea come-back.

Nuno Mendes, 6

Willian Pacho, 5

Marquinhos, 6

Achraf Hakimi, 7

João Neves, 7

The Portuguese looks back to his best with an industrious midfield shift. He tirelessly tracked Cole Palmer to nullify his influence and was a reliable outlet for PSG’s passage of plays. Given a breather by Luis Enrique at half-time and replaced by Senny Mayulu, who joined in on the fun with a powerful strike for PSG’s third.

Vitinha, 6

Warren Zaïre-Emery, 7

Bradley Barcola, 6

Ousmane Dembélé, 5

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, 7

The Georgian was given the nod after being involved in three goals off the bench in the first leg. He immediately repaid Luis Enrique’s faith in him in putting the tie to bed for good early on. Also involved for PSG’s third goal. An electric presence as ever on both wings and, on his day, a joy to watch. 

Selected Chelsea Player Ratings

Mamadou Sarr, 2

His baptism of Champions League fire turned catastrophic pretty quickly in gifting Kvaratskhelia the opener when Chelsea sorely needed a clean sheet. He always looked on the back foot and had no other chance to redeem himself with Josh Acheampong taking his place at half-time.

Andrey Santos, 3

Cole Palmer, 2

The Englishman was Chelsea’s star man for the Club World Cup final against PSG, but he was nowhere to be seen on the continental stage. He made no differences and was unceremoniously hooked by Rosenior with the tie out of Chelsea’s reach.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval