PSG run riot in Germany as Leverkusen collapse | OneFootball

It was always going to be a difficult night for Bayer Leverkusen - facing the European champions, unbeaten in continental competition, while still searching for their first European win. Yet Kasper Hjulmand will be furious at how easily his side gifted Paris Saint-Germain the lead after just seven minutes.

After showcasing the elegance and swagger that now come with the Luis Enrique PSG package, the Parisians struck with ease. A delicious Nuno Mendes cross drifted over Loic Bade and was headed home by Willian Pacho - the Ecuadorian’s first goal for the club on his return to Germany.

PSG, back in the Bundesrepublik for the first time since lifting the Champions League trophy in Munich, looked comfortable and almost added a second when Bradley Barcola caught out a hesitant Mark Flekken, though Kvicha Kvaratskhelia failed to capitalise.

Leverkusen slowly found their rhythm as Claudio Echeverri began to dictate play, his quick feet and direct running troubling the visitors. In the 23rd minute, his surge was halted by Illiaa Zabarnyi’s handball inside the area, handing Die Werkself a golden chance to equalise. But Alejandro Grimaldo - usually so reliable - clipped the outside of Lucas Chevalier’s post from the spot, a miss that would soon prove costly.

Ten minutes later, captain Robert Andrich was sent off for a reckless elbow on Desire Doue, leaving Leverkusen a man down before the interval. Moments later, chaos deepened when Zabarnyi bundled over Christian Kofane, conceding a second penalty - and earning himself a red card. Aleix Garcia stepped up and coolly rolled his effort into the bottom-right corner to level the score.

Parity, however, was short-lived. Four minutes later, PSG sliced through the Leverkusen back line with a slick move, ending with Doue prodding home a composed left-footed finish from close range to restore the lead.

The visitors were relentless. Kvaratskhelia guided in a precise first-time effort from the edge of the box before Doue struck again, curling a right-footed effort into the bottom corner to make it 4-1. After an astonishing first half featuring two penalties, two red cards, and five goals, PSG went into the break with a commanding lead.

With Leverkusen’s equaliser left firmly in the past, four soon became five early in the second half as Nuno Mendes finished confidently after being slipped through by Vitinha. But this chaotic contest still had more to give. Just three minutes later, Aleix Garcia struck again to make it 5-2 - a stunning right-footed drive that swerved into the top-right corner for his second of the night.

Ousmane Dembele then entered the fray on 63 minutes, marking his first appearance since a hamstring injury in August and his first since being crowned Ballon d’Or winner. The Frenchman’s introduction was warmly greeted by the travelling PSG fans as the champions saw out the game in full control.

And it would not take the electric forward long to score on his return, as he bundled home from the right-hand side of the six-yard box, squeezing the ball through the legs of Flekken.

The match did finally begin to calm down as the clock continued to tick, with each and every man in a Leverkusen shirt simply desperate for the final whistle to come. But the visitors had one more dagger left in them, as midfield talisman Vitinha hammered home with precision from the edge of the box to add PSG's seventh of the night.

It was a night that showcased the absolute best of Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique - and one that leaves Leverkusen in desperate need of points, with Hjulmand's side still winless after three Champions League outings.