UCL 2025-26: Kvaratskhelia grabs late brace as PSG crush Chelsea in round of 16 first leg

Holders Paris Saint-Germain took a clear lead in their Champions League last-16 tie against Chelsea as substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inspired a thrilling 5-2 first-leg victory at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

Luis Enrique’s side took the lead twice through Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé, but were pushed back each time by Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez, before Vitinha and Kvaratskhelia, with a double, scored three late goals to put the hosts in control of the match.

Although the French champion showed defensive weaknesses eight months after being dismantled by Chelsea in the Club World Cup final, he produced flashes of the incisive, high-octane football that took him to his first European Cup win last season.

The second leg is on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge.

PSG started in dominant fashion, pressing and monopolizing possession in a manner reminiscent of its best form last season.

The breakthrough came in the 10th minute when Joao Neves headed a cross into the path of Barcola, who controlled the ball with his chest before unleashing a powerful half-volley that flew under the crossbar for his first Champions League goal of the season.

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PSG continued to threaten and five minutes later Dembele’s fierce effort was deflected onto the right post by goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.

Chelsea gradually found their footing as PSG’s backline began to lose shape. Fernandez exploited the space on the right flank and delivered a long cross to Gusto, and the French defender fired his shot past Matvei Safonov for the equalizer in the 28th minute.

PSG restored the lead five minutes before half-time when Dembele surged forward and raced into the penalty area as the defenders scrambled r4sh.

There was still plenty to do but he turned Marc Cucurella one way and Wesley Fofana the other before drilling a composed finish into the far corner.

The home side were left vulnerable at the back and were punished when Pedro Neto dispossessed Desire Doue and Fernandez provided an easy finish 12 minutes into the second half.

Doue was replaced by Kvaratskhelia and the momentum changed decisively as the Georgian showed his class.

In the 74th minute, Jorgensen’s poor pass was intercepted by Barcola, who fed Kvaratskhelia, and the striker set up Vitinha for an excellent lob to restore the lead.

Kvaratskhelia passed Gusto to send a powerful curling strike into the net in the 86th minute, and the Georgian struck again with a simple tap-in from Achraf Hakimi’s pass four minutes into added time.

Published on March 12, 2026