Doué Brace Inspires PSG…

Doué Brace Inspires PSG…

Paris Saint-Germain staged a remarkable comeback, securing a 3-2 victory against Monaco in the first leg of the Champions League knockout play-off on Tuesday.

Monaco struck early, with Aleksandr Golovin sending a cross that Folarin Balogun headed into the net just one minute in.

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PSG almost equalized in the 14th minute when Joao Neves, receiving a pass inside the box, missed the target with a shot over the bar.

Moments later, Balogun doubled Monaco’s lead, calmly finishing past Matvey Safonov.

PSG earned a penalty when Wout Faes fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but Vitinha’s attempt was thwarted by goalkeeper Philipp Kohn.

Substitute Desire Doue pulled one back shortly after his introduction, striking the bottom corner from close range.

Achraf Hakimi completed PSG’s revival in the 40th minute, scoring after Kohn parried Doue’s shot back into danger.

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Kvaratskhelia nearly made it three for PSG before the half-time whistle, hitting the side netting with a close effort.

Golovin received a red card for a dangerous tackle on Vitinha after the break, leaving Monaco with ten men.

Doue then netted his second and put PSG ahead for the first time in the 67th minute, finishing into the bottom-right corner.

With this achievement, he became the first PSG substitute to score a brace in the Champions League knockout stage.

Monaco sought an equalizer, with Denis Zakaria forcing a save from Safonov.

PSG continued to press in the 81st minute, but Kohn again came to the rescue, deflecting a shot from Bradley Barcola out for a corner.

The Monaco keeper made additional saves as the match drew to a close, keeping the tie alive ahead of the second leg next Wednesday at Parc des Princes.