Manchester City thought they knew what to expect from a Champions League night at the Etihad, and PSG tore that script apart inside 35 minutes. The defending European champions raced into a 3-0 lead, survived a fierce City rally, and made sure PSG beat Manchester City 4-2 on Wednesday.
Desire Doue started it with a long-range strike in the 13th minute. Ousmane Dembele headed in at the far post just two minutes later, and Vitinha added a third from the edge of the box in the 32nd. When the half-time whistle blew, City trailed 3-0 at home.
How PSG beat Manchester City in the first half
Everything went right for the visitors in that opening spell. Achraf Hakimi hit the post before Vitinha’s goal, and the visitors looked dangerous every time they broke forward. City could not find a foothold before the break.
Enzo Maresca responded with three half-time changes, and the home side looked transformed. Erling Haaland pulled one back in the 53rd minute with a header, and it briefly felt like a comeback was on.
Maghnes Akliouche had other ideas. His strike from distance in the 62nd minute looped past Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had got a hand to it, and restored PSG’s three-goal cushion at 4-1.
A late scare, but no comeback
City kept pushing. Haaland hit the woodwork, Enzo Fernandez went close, and a header was cleared off the line. Haaland finally got his second in the 75th minute, which set up a nervy finish.
A late penalty was missed, and PSG held firm. Maresca felt his team started well, then lost its balance after conceding, and said City deserved more from a much stronger second half.
The result is a statement from the champions. PSG beat Manchester City despite a Haaland double, and their attacking depth was on full display. It also leaves City, who beat 10-man Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, with work to do in the new 36-team league phase, where every point counts. They need to find some defensive steel quickly.
