Manchester City’s Champions League hopes hung in the balance tonight after succumbing to an incredible comeback from Paris Saint-Germain.
After conceding goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland at the start of the second half, the situation looked bleak for a PSG side who started the night outside the play-off places in a revamped table.
But substitutes Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola inspired a stirring response with both on target before Joao Neves struck late in the third to send the Parc des Princes wild. There was still time for Goncalo Ramos to add a fourth and rub salt into City’s wounds.
The win moved PSG up to 22nd and it is City who are now in danger of missing out. Pep Guardiola’s side are 25th, two points behind Stuttgart, and their final game against Club Brugge next week is now a must-win.
PSG started brilliantly
Perhaps sensing the gravity of their situation, PSG started well, Ederson saving from Desire Doue inside five minutes before Neves headed over the bar from close range.
Gianluigi Donnarumma saved from Kevin De Bruyne at the other end, but it was a rare strike for City, who were mostly on the back foot and were indebted to defender Josko Guardiola to keep things level in the 26th minute.
The guests failed to clear the corner, and Fabian Ruiz shot from the crowd that followed, after which Croatian defender Guardiol had to hit the ball with his knee on his own goal line.
Although most of the game was played on the break, it almost paid off for the English champions when Phil Foden put Savinho through on goal, albeit from a narrow angle, but the Brazilian’s shot was well blocked by Donnarummo.
After surviving that scare, PSG almost took the lead a minute before halftime. Achraf Hakimi was on the end of a free-kick, finishing wide past Ederson, only for the goal to be booked after Nuno Mendes was adjudged marginally offside in the build-up.
Grealish has an impact
Guardiola brought on Grealish and Rico Lewis for Ruben Dias and Savinho at the break, and the double change paid off immediately.
Manuel Akanji broke through on the right and crossed for Bernardo Silva, and although Donnarumma saved the Portuguese’s attempt, the ball fell to Grealish and he shot high into the net.
Jack Grealish gives Man City the lead just a few minutes after entering the field 🤩
It’s his first goal in the Champions League this season 💪
📺 @tntsports and @otkrićeplusUK pic.twitter.com/1NXEgE6nsK
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
City fans could hardly stop celebrating in the Parisian rain when Haaland made it 2-0 three minutes later with Grealish on again.
After latching on to Matheus Nunes’ pass, the England winger cut in from the left and Vitinha deflected his cross into the path of Haaland, who made no mistake from close range.
The return begins
PSG’s Champions League dream was quickly slipping away, but they showed immense courage to find a way back.
Dembele, who was also introduced at the break, pulled one back, latched on to Barcola’s cross and fired past Ederson to make it 2-2 on the hour mark, Doue’s shot rebounding off the crossbar into Barcola’s path and he volleyed into the net via left gate.
Ousmane Dembele returns for PSG 👀
Three goals were scored in the last six minutes between the two sides 🤯
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
PSG were in complete command and City looked shell-shocked.
Barcola sent an acrobatic effort over the bar, Dembele shot high and wide when he should have done better before the former Barcelona winger hit the bar and Ederson was beaten.
Neves finds the third
It seemed only a matter of time before the pressure took its toll and PSG got the goal they deserved with 12 minutes remaining, Neves leaping to strike at the far post with no City defender nearby.
PSG RETURNS AGAINST MAN CITY 🤯
After losing 2-0, Joao Neves scored to give PSG the lead 🤩
📺 @tntsports and @otkrićeplusUK pic.twitter.com/t2p3ZSS6sS
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
The outstanding Dembele had another goal ruled out for offside, and then Ederson made a fine save when PSG hit the post.
Substitute Ramos saw Ederson’s shot saved from close range, but the Brazil international could do nothing when another Ramos, the last shot of the game, was ruled out after a lengthy VAR review.
