UEFA Champions League — Doue inspires PSG to a 3-2 win over Monaco; Dembele leaves with an injury

UEFA Champions League holders Paris Saint Germain (PSG) overcame a horror start and a two-goal deficit to beat 10-man Monaco 3-2 in the first leg of their knockout round play-off tie on Tuesday.

Desire Doue came off the bench to complete an impressive turnaround for PSG, who conceded a goal in the opening minute and were 0-2 down after 18 minutes when Folarin Balogun grabbed a double for the hosts.

The 20-year-old Doue replaced Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, who left injured after 27 minutes and proved decisive for the visiting side as he scored two brilliant goals and set up one for Achraf Hakimi.

Monaco spent most of the second half down to 10 men after Aleksandr Golovin was shown a red card for a tackle that left Vitinha studded, with the referee upgrading his original warning to a red card after consulting the VAR screen from the touchline.

PSG are now in a favorable position for the second leg in Paris next Wednesday as they look to progress to the last 16 next month.

However, the European champions found themselves in all kinds of trouble after 56 seconds when full-back Nuno Mendes had a stray pass cut out across the pitch in midfield, giving Monaco a first attack, with Golovin chipping for Balogun to head home from close range.

Monaco appeared to be in control when Balogun scored a second goal after Maghnes Akliouche’s cleverly weighted pass allowed the American striker to beat PSG captain Marquinhos and score.

PSG FORFEITS PENALTY BUT STILL WINS

Things were still looking good despite a defensive error from Wout Faes, which led to the defender pulling back on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and giving away a penalty in the 22nd minute, but Vitinha’s effort was saved by Philipp Kohn.

But the tie changed when Doue came on for Dembele and scored with his first touch in the 29th minute with a left-footed effort after being held by Bradley Barcola. The goal was confirmed after a VAR check denied Monaco’s claims of a foul on defender Vanderson in the build-up.

Doue’s shot in the 41st minute was parried by Kohn, but Hakimi reacted quickly to pounce on the rebound to make it 2-2 before the break.

Golovin’s sending off in the 48th minute left Monaco behind as the visiting side went on to dominate the match and should have had more than just Doue’s 67th minute winner – another superb shot that flew into the goal from the edge of the penalty area.

PSG midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery missed some good chances and Hakimi came close to a late fourth goal when his angled effort went wide of the goal in the 86th minute.

Published on February 18, 2026