Reigning UEFA Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) produced a masterclass performance on Tuesday night, hammering Bayer Leverkusen 7–2 away at the BayArena.
Returning from injury, Ousmane Dembele marked his comeback in style, scoring PSG’s sixth goal just minutes after coming off the bench. The French winger had been sidelined since early September with a hamstring injury.
Desire Doue grabbed a stunning brace, while Willian Pacho, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, and Vitinha all found the net for Luis Enrique’s men.
“We are a team that always wants to win everything. This season, we want to win everything again,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique, expressing confidence in his side’s pursuit of back-to-back European glory.
Despite goals from Aleix Garcia, Leverkusen endured a torrid night that saw both teams reduced to ten men. PSG’s Illia Zabarnyi was sent off for conceding a second penalty in the 37th minute, while Leverkusen captain Robert Andrich had earlier been shown red for elbowing Doue.
Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjulmand admitted his side “lost it in seven minutes before halftime,” describing PSG as “the best team in the world right now.”
The French giants—though injury-hit and inconsistent earlier in the season—displayed their attacking depth and mental resilience, dismantling a Leverkusen side still rebuilding with several new signings.
Match Summary:
- ⚽ 7’: Pacho heads PSG into the lead.
- ❌ 25’: Grimaldo misses penalty for Leverkusen.
- 🔴 33’: Andrich sent off for elbow on Doue.
- ⚽ 37’: Garcia scores penalty; Zabarnyi red-carded.
- ⚽ 38’–45’: Doue (2) and Kvaratskhelia strike for 4–1 halftime lead.
- ⚽ 50’: Mendes adds PSG’s fifth.
- ⚽ 54’: Garcia scores long-range effort for 5–2.
- ⚽ 73’: Dembele nets comeback goal.
- ⚽ 81’: Vitinha seals the 7–2 rout.
The emphatic result sends a strong warning to PSG’s Champions League rivals as they continue their quest to defend their European crown.
