Match Report: PSG Edge Chelsea in 7-Goal Champions League Thriller | OneFootball

Eight months after their clash in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, Paris Saint-Germain got off to a near-perfect start in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 against Chelsea FC.

Ousmane Dembélé crossed to the far post, where João Neves headed the ball back to Bradley Barcola. The French international struck a half-volley that flew past Filip Jörgensen and into the top corner (1-0, 10′).

Barcola finally opened his Champions League account for the season. Five minutes later, Dembélé, who had been very active since the start of the match, fired a powerful left-footed shot that crashed against Filip Jörgensen’s right-hand post (1-0, 15′).

Paris pushed forward and Barcola, on a run down the left wing, saw his right-footed shot fly just wide of Jörgensen’s left-hand post (1-0, 25′).

But against the run of play, Chelsea equalized through Malo Gusto, the French international, alerted by Enzo Fernandez and left unmarked by Nuno Mendes, struck with his right foot, and Matvey Safonov made a small mistake with his hands (1-1, 28′).

At the half-hour mark, PSG had it all to do again after this defensive error. The Parisians had dropped in intensity since the quarter-hour mark. But PSG had the mental strength of European champions and took the lead again before the break, with Dembélé finishing off a lightning counter-attack. Beautifully launched by Désiré Doué from the Parisian camp, the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner mystified Wesley Fofana and followed up with his right foot to beat Jorgensen at the far post (2-1, 40′).

Dembélé scored his second goal in seven Champions League games this season. In the second half, Paris struggled to get going, and Chelsea equalized through Fernandez from a Pedro Neto pass (2-2, 57′). It was the 15th time this season in official competition that PSG had conceded at least two goals in a match out of 41 games.

Until the 74th minute, not much happened on the pitch before Vitinha’s little gem. The Portugal international was played in by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia just inside the box and cleverly lobbed Jörgensen (3-2, 74′). It was Vitinha’s sixth goal in the Champions League this season.

Paris stepped on the gas, and Kvaratskhelia sent a message. At the edge of the English side’s box on the left, the Georgian delivered a magnificent right-footed strike that ended up in the opposite corner of Jorgensen’s net (4-2, 86′). Substituted on in the 62nd minute, Kvaratskhelia scored a brace in added time (5-2, 90+4). The Georgian was the man of the match, scoring his sixth goal in the Champions League this season.

PSG have a three-goal lead going into the second leg, but must not be complacent at Stamford Bridge

Paris won their third consecutive match against Chelsea in the Champions League and took revenge for the Club World Cup final last summer. Not everything was perfect for PSG, particularly in defense. Nevertheless, PSG are in a very strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals.