Désiré Doué made a stunning impact off the bench, leading Paris St Germain to a thrilling 3-2 comeback win in the first leg of their Champions League play-off against Monaco, a fellow Ligue 1 contender.
Initially starting on the bench, Doué was brought on to substitute the injured Ousmane Dembélé when his team found themselves two goals down, following a missed penalty from Vitinha.
The 20-year-old striker, who scored twice in last season’s final, netted two goals and provided an assist, orchestrating an incredible turnaround at Stade Louis II.
In stark contrast, Sebastien Pocognoli’s team, who appeared in control after Folarin Balogun scored twice within the first 20 minutes, found themselves with just ten players after Aleksandr Golovin was sent off.
The excitement began right from the whistle, with Monaco scoring just a minute into the match. Golovin led the attack on the left, delivering a cross that Balogun headed into the net.
Working to respond, PSG had a shot from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia blocked by Wout Faes, but soon thereafter, Monaco doubled their lead in the 19th minute.
In midfield, the hosts regained possession, with Maghnes Akliouche feeding Balogun for a one-on-one with Marquinhos, who couldn’t prevent Balogun from scoring his second goal.
Drama unfolded just minutes later at the other end when Faes conceded a penalty after fouling Kvaratskhelia, but Philipp Köhn came to his rescue by saving Vitinha’s effort.
Injuries plagued PSG as Dembélé left the field, and it seemed fate was against them. However, Doué’s entrance proved to be a turning point.
Only moments after stepping onto the pitch, Doué found the net after connecting with a well-placed assist from Bradley Barcola. Following a VAR check, the goal was confirmed, igniting PSG’s resurgence.
By the 41st minute, momentum was on PSG’s side as Achraf Hakimi leveled the score. Doué once again played a vital role, taking a powerful shot that was parried by Köhn, allowing Hakimi to pounce and equalize.
Remarkably, there was still time in the first half for PSG to seize the lead, but neither Kvaratskhelia nor João Neves could convert their opportunities.
For Monaco, the situation worsened as Golovin received a red card just seconds into the second half for a dangerous challenge on Vitinha.
The second half saw Monaco focused on defending their draw, but each attempt to block PSG’s advances only increased the pressure.
With just 23 minutes left, Doué capped his impressive performance with a decisive goal. Collaborating with Kvaratskhelia and Hakimi, he showcased his finishing prowess to score the winner.
This remarkable turnaround positions Luis Enrique’s squad as strong favorites ahead of the second leg at Parc des Princes.