The first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-off featured a highly anticipated match, with French giants Paris Saint-Germain coming back from two goals down to defeat Monaco 3-2 thanks to goals from Dua and Achraf.

One minute into the match, Golovin chipped a pass from the left wing into the box, where Balogun headed it in, giving Monaco a dream start of 1-0. In the 12th minute, Paris Saint-Germain striker Kvalatschria received a cross from his teammate and entered the penalty area, but the ball was cleared by an opposing player.

In the 18th minute, Akliushe played a through ball to Balogun, who sprinted into the penalty area and fired a low shot into the net, giving Monaco a 2-0 lead over Paris Saint-Germain. In the 20th minute, Kvalatschria won possession and was brought down by Wout Fass, resulting in a penalty for Paris Saint-Germain. Vitinha took the penalty, but the ball was saved by Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Cohen.

In the 27th minute, Paris Saint-Germain striker Dembélé suffered an injury and was subsequently replaced by Dué. In the 29th minute, Barkola broke through the defense and passed the ball diagonally, which Dué received and slotted home, helping Paris Saint-Germain pull one back to 1-2. In the 32nd minute, Monaco attempted a counter-attack, and Adingera received the ball and unleashed a long-range shot, but the ball was saved by Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Safonov.

In the 41st minute, João Neves passed the ball to Dué, who then entered the penalty area and fired a long-range shot. However, the ball was blocked by Monaco goalkeeper Philippe Cohen, and Achraf Hakimi followed up to score, leveling the score at 2-2 for Paris Saint-Germain. In the 45th minute, Kvalatschria received the ball, broke into the penalty area, and fired a shot that went wide.

In the 48th minute of the second half, Vitinha was fouled by Golovin while vying for possession. After VAR intervention, the referee showed Golovin a red card, leaving Monaco with only 10 players to continue. In the 62nd minute, Due passed the ball to Zaire Emery, who attempted a shot, but the ball went wide of the post.

In the 67th minute, Kvalatschlia orchestrated an attack, Zaire Emery received the ball and passed it across, and Due seized the opportunity to score with a low shot, helping Paris Saint-Germain take a 2-3 lead. In the 68th minute, Monaco created an attacking opportunity, Denis Zakaria received the ball and took a long-range shot from the edge of the penalty area, but the ball was blocked by Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Safonov.

In the 79th minute, Achraf Hakimi received a pass from his teammate near the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a long-range shot, but the ball went over the goal. In the 81st minute, Zaire Emery passed the ball to Barkola, who followed up and entered the penalty area with a low shot, but the ball was deflected by Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Cohen and went wide of the post.

In the end, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Monaco 3-2 away from home.

Image source: Internet