Champions League — Hat-trick from Vitinha ensures that UCL champion PSG wins 5-3 against Tottenham

European champions Paris St-Germain (PSG) showed a never-say-die attitude as they twice came from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 5-3 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

PSG looked vulnerable at the back, conceding twice after defensive errors and showing some of the same problems that contributed to the 1-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the previous round, but responded with greater control and efficiency to turn the game around at the Parc des Princes.

Vitinha scored a hat-trick with two fine goals and a penalty, while Pacho and Fabian Ruiz also scored for PSG, who were put to work after Tottenham twice took the lead through Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani, with the French forward scoring a double.

After four wins in five games, PSG, who finished with ten men after Lucas Hernandez was sent off in injury time, are second in the league standings and are on course for direct qualification to the last 16, while Tottenham are 16th with eight points.

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Fabian Ruiz came close with a left-footed effort that went just wide in the eighth minute, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also curled a shot narrowly past the post as both teams started brightly.

In captain Marquinhos’ 500th appearance for the club, PSG appeared to miss the absent Achraf Hakimi, with midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery filling in at right back.

Ousmane Dembele, recently back from injury, started on the bench while academy graduate Quentin Ndjantou started up front.

‘ENABLED’

«Very good performance. I didn’t want us to concede – that would have made the perfect night – but we won. Tottenham prepared well and exploited our weaknesses, but we stayed in the game,» said Marquinhos.

«The attitude was there, the team was on and we were there all the time. Tottenham used counter-attacks and crosses to the far post, but we are a team that never gives up. We have a good mentality.»

Tottenham looked confident and took the lead ten minutes before half-time when Richarlison nodded in after Kolo Muani had headed a cross into his path.

PSG responded immediately and equalized just before half time. Vitinha fired home a brilliant first effort from outside the penalty area after being set up by Ndjantou. Both teams scored with their first shot on goal.

The hosts went cold early in the second half when Kolo Muani scored against his former club, curling home a volley after Pacho’s weak ball. However, Tottenham’s lead was short-lived, with Vitinha producing another fine finish as he curled a shot into the far corner in the 53rd minute.

Six minutes later, Hernandez relieved Pape Matar Sarr, and the loose ball rolled to João Neves, whose composed backheel set Ruiz down for a clinical strike. Pacho then smashed home PSG’s fourth goal from a crowded goalmouth, giving the home side a two-goal cushion.

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Kolo Muani pulled one back in the 73rd minute, beating two defenders before firing past Lucas Chevalier.

However, a Cristian Romero handball earned PSG a penalty in the 76th minute, and Vitinha sent Guglielmo Vicario the wrong way to complete his hat-trick and restore the two-goal lead.

Hernandez received a straight red card three minutes into extra time for elbowing Xavi Simons.

“We have scored some goals, there are things we can work on, but they are a top team and there are times when you will suffer against them,” said Tottenham defender Archie Gray.

“They are the best team in Europe, and they are ruthless in every aspect of their game, and they have that individual class. They are a top team and there are things we can learn from.”

Published on November 27, 2025