By Eppe Franklyne
- Paris Saint-Germain defeated Chelsea 5–2 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 tie.
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice after coming on as a substitute to inspire PSG’s late surge.
- The victory gives PSG a strong advantage ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Holder Paris Saint-Germain carved out a clear advantage in its Champions League last-16 tie against Chelsea as substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inspired it to a thrilling 5-2 first-leg victory at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
Luis Enrique’s side twice took the lead through Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele but was pegged back each time by Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez. Late goals from Vitinha and Kvaratskhelia, who scored twice, eventually put the host firmly in control of the tie.
Although the French champion showed defensive frailties months after being dismantled by Chelsea in the Club World Cup final, it produced flashes of the attacking football that helped it win its first European Cup title last season.
PSG began strongly, pressing high and dominating possession. The breakthrough came in the 10th minute when Joao Neves headed a cross into the path of Barcola, who controlled the ball with his chest before unleashing a powerful half-volley under the crossbar.
The home side continued to threaten and nearly doubled its advantage five minutes later when Dembele’s fierce strike was deflected onto the right-hand post by goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
Chelsea gradually grew into the game as PSG’s defence lost its shape. Enzo Fernandez delivered a long cross to Gusto on the right flank, and the French defender fired past Matvei Safonov in the 28th minute to equalise.
PSG restored its lead five minutes before halftime when Dembele burst into the box, twisting past Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana before drilling a composed finish into the far corner.
The visitors struck again early in the second half. Pedro Neto dispossessed Desire Doue and set up Fernandez for a simple finish to level the score.
Luis Enrique then introduced Kvaratskhelia, and the Georgian quickly changed the tempo of the match. In the 74th minute, Jorgensen’s poor pass was intercepted by Barcola, who fed Kvaratskhelia before the forward set up Vitinha for a delicate lob to restore PSG’s lead.
Kvaratskhelia then scored with a powerful curling strike in the 86th minute before adding another with a close-range tap-in from Achraf Hakimi’s pass in stoppage time.
The second leg will be played at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
