AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain produced one of the most entertaining matches of the Champions League knockout round on Tuesday night, with the French champions securing a dramatic 3–2 away victory in a pulsating first-leg encounter at Stade Louis II.
The game exploded into life almost immediately, setting the tone for a high-tempo contest that swung repeatedly in momentum before PSG ultimately emerged with a slender but valuable advantage ahead of the return leg in Paris.
Monaco stunned the visitors inside the opening minute. A quick transition through midfield caught PSG unbalanced, and Folarin Balogun reacted quickest inside the penalty area to finish clinically past Matvey Safonev, sending the home crowd into early celebration and giving Monaco a dream start.
Rather than retreat, Monaco doubled their advantage just 17 minutes later. Again, Balogun was at the heart of the action, timing his movement perfectly to latch onto a forward pass before calmly slotting home his second of the night. At 2–0, PSG looked rattled, and Monaco appeared firmly in control.
However, PSG kept pushing as they won a penalty in the 22nd minute after a foul on Kwarashelia in the box which was taken and missed by Vitinha. However, the game took a change in gear as Desire Doue replaced injured Dembele who visibly looked frustrated after the first half substitution.
The comeback began in the 29th minute when Desire Doue pulled one back with a composed finish after clever build-up play in the final third with Bradley Barcola. The goal shifted momentum sharply, energizing the visitors while introducing tension among the home supporters.
Full-back Achraf Hakimi surged forward from the right flank in the 41st minute, finishing decisively to complete the turnaround from two goals down to 2–2 before the break. Monaco, who had looked comfortable early, suddenly faced a completely different match.
The second half opened with both teams playing aggressively, knowing the importance of taking an advantage into the second leg. Monaco pushed forward with renewed intensity, while PSG relied on their pace in transition to threaten repeatedly.
The decisive moment arrived in the 67th minute as Doue struck again, showing composure beyond his years to convert PSG’s third goal and complete both his brace and the visitors’ full comeback. The finish capped an impressive individual performance and ultimately proved to be the match-winner.
From that point, PSG managed the game with greater maturity. Monaco continued to push for an equalizer, creating moments of pressure, but Safonov and the PSG defense held firm during key periods.
Tactically, PSG’s ability to adjust after the opening 20 minutes was crucial. Their midfield began to control possession more effectively, while wide areas became an important attacking route, particularly through Hakimi’s overlapping runs.
Monaco, meanwhile, will reflect on missed opportunities. Despite their electric start and Balogun’s clinical finishing, defensive lapses and PSG’s superior individual quality proved costly.
Balogun was unquestionably Monaco’s standout performer, his movement and finishing causing consistent problems for the PSG defense. Yet Doue’s brace ultimately stole the spotlight, marking a significant European performance for the young attacker.
The result gives PSG a narrow but important advantage heading into the second leg at Parc des Princes, though the tie remains finely balanced. Monaco demonstrated enough attacking threat to believe they can still overturn the deficit.
For PSG, the comeback victory reinforces their credentials as serious contenders in this season’s competition, showcasing both resilience and attacking depth under pressure.
The second leg now promises another high-intensity encounter between two familiar domestic rivals battling on Europe’s biggest stage.
