UEFA Champions League 2025-26: Holder PSG suffers shock defeat against Sporting CP after Suarez scores in the last minute

Holders Paris St Germain suffered a 2-1 defeat at Portuguese side Sporting CP on Tuesday, putting their bid to qualify directly for the last 16 of the Champions League in jeopardy after Luis ‌Suarez struck twice to net the winner in the final minute.

Sporting took the lead in the second half through Suarez, against the run of play, despite persistent pressure from PSG.

The French champions hit back quickly when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia equalized with an excellent strike and appeared to salvage a point.

However, Suarez struck again in the dying moments to snatch victory for Sporting, leaving both teams on 13 points and in the top eight, ensuring direct qualification to the last 16, ahead of PSG’s home match against Newcastle United and Sporting’s trip to Athletic Bilbao.

Both teams are in ninth place, one point ahead of Inter.

«We had too many chances and didn’t score, that happens to us too often. We lacked concentration and we made two mistakes. We do what we can, but if we don’t convert our chances we can’t afford to concede goals,» said PSG midfielder Vitinha.

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Luis Enrique’s side dominated the opening stages in Lisbon, with Nuno Mendes forcing Rui Silva into a sharp save from a tight angle and Senny Mayulu tamely heading at the Sporting goalkeeper after good work on the left.

The visitor thought they had taken the lead on the half-hour mark when Warren Zaire-Emery headed in Fabian Ruiz’s cross, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review showed Mayulu had fouled Geny Catamo in the build-up.

Nuno Mendes had the ball in the net again late in the half and finished from close range after a Zaire-Emery cross, but the effort was disallowed for offside against Ousmane Dembele.

Sporting reacted little before half-time, but the teams went level at 0-0 despite PSG’s clear superiority with 15 attempts and 69 percent possession.

Sporting offered more early in the second half, with a dangerous cross from Trincao just eluding Suarez in the 52nd minute.

The hosts then had their first shots on target and opened the scoring in the 74th minute when Suarez coolly slid a low shot past Lucas Chevalier after Catamo’s effort was deflected into his path.

Five minutes later, Kvaratskhelia, who had replaced Mayulu, fired a brilliant shot into the far top corner from the edge of the penalty area to equalize.

But PSG lacked the usual courage and were punished again in the 90th minute.

Trincao collected a low pass from the left just outside the penalty area and struck first time with his left foot, forcing Chevalier to parry and Suarez nodded in the rebound into the far corner to delight the crowd.

Published on January 21, 2026