Paris Saint-Germain pulled off a sensational second-half comeback to defeat AS Monaco 3-2 in a captivating UEFA Champions League knockout stage clash at the Stade Louis II.
The hosts had raced into a two-goal lead, only for PSG’s star power to ultimately prevail.
Monaco stunned the Parisian giants early, with Folarin Balogun finding the net in the very first minute, assisted by A. Golovin. Balogun then doubled Monaco’s advantage in the 18th minute, this time set up by M. Akliouche, sending the home crowd into raptures. A booking for W. Faes in the 21st minute did little to dampen Monaco’s spirits.
However, PSG began their fightback just before the half-hour mark. Vitinha converted a penalty in the 22nd minute to halve the deficit. D. Zakaria received a yellow card in the 29th minute as the intensity rose. The equaliser came just before half-time, with Bradley Barcola levelling the score in the 41st minute, assisted by D. Doué, ensuring the teams went into the break locked at 2-2. Achraf Hakimi also picked up a booking before the interval.
The second half saw a more cautious approach from both sides initially. A. Golovin was booked for Monaco in the 48th minute. The decisive moment arrived in the 67th minute, after a VAR review, when Warren Zaïre-Emery, assisted by D. Doué, completed PSG’s remarkable turnaround, making it 3-2.
Despite Monaco’s valiant efforts, PSG held on to secure a crucial away victory, giving them the advantage heading into the second leg of this enthralling Champions League tie.
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