Manchester City’s Champions League hopes hung by a thread tonight after succumbing to an incredible comeback from Paris Saint-Germain.
After conceding goals to Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland early in the second half, things looked bleak for a PSG side who started the evening outside the playoff places in the revamped table.
But substitute Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola inspired a stirring response with both men on target before Joao Neves scored a third late on to send the Parc des Princes crazy. There was still time for Goncalo Ramos to add a fourth to rub salt in City’s wound.
This victory propelled PSG to 22nd place and it is City who now risk missing out. Pep Guardiola’s men are 25th, two points behind Stuttgart, with their final game against Club Brugge next week now a must-win.
Man City fall into Champions League playoff zone after losing to PSG 📉 pic.twitter.com/sgLURkV5rB
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
PSG starts brilliantly
Perhaps sensing the gravity of their situation, PSG started well, Ederson saving from Desire Doue five minutes before Neves lofted a header over the bar from close range.
Gianluigi Donnarumma saved from Kevin De Bruyne at the other end, but it was a rare foray for City, who were playing largely on the back foot and they were indebted to defender Josko Gvardiol for keeping the scores level after 26 minutes .
The visitors failed to clear a corner and, in the ensuing melee, Fabian Ruiz fired a shot that forced Croatian defender Gvardiol to tip the ball to safety from his own goal line.
Although they were playing wide at the break, it almost paid off for the English champions when Phil Foden put Savinho through on goal, albeit from a tight angle, but the Brazilian’s shot was well blocked by Donnarumma.
Having survived this scare, PSG almost took the lead a minute before half-time. Achraf Hakimi was on the end of a flowing move, finishing well past Ederson, only for the goal to be scored after Nuno Mendes was judged slightly offside in the build-up.
Grealish has an impact
Guardiola started Grealish and Rico Lewis for Ruben Dias and Savinho at the break and the double change paid off immediately.
Manuel Akanji burst down the right and picked out a cross for Bernardo Silva and, although the Portuguese’s effort was stopped by Donnarumma, the ball fell to Grealish and he fired high into the net.
Jack Grealish gives Man City the lead just minutes after entering the pitch 🤩
It’s his first goal in the Champions League this season 💪
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/1NXEgE6nsK
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
City fans had barely stopped celebrating in the Paris rain when Haaland made it 2-0 three minutes later with Grealish involved again.
After collecting Matheus Nunes’ pass, the England winger cut in from the left and his cross was deflected by Vitinha into Haaland’s path and he made no mistake from close range.
The return begins
PSG’s Champions League dream was fading fast, but they showed enormous courage to find their way back.
Dembele, who was also introduced at the break, pulled one back, latching onto Barcola’s cross to beat Ederson and it was 2-2 on the hour mark, Doue’s shot crashing off the bar into Barcola’s path and he scuffed a volley into the net via the left post.
Ousmane Dembele collects one for PSG 👀
Three goals were scored in the last six minutes between the two teams 🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/avKvmsKjeT
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
PSG were in complete control and City looked shocked.
Barcola launched an acrobatic effort over the bar, Dembele hitting high and wide when he should have done better before the former Barcelona winger smashed a shot against the bar with Ederson beaten.
Neves finds a third
It seemed like a matter of time before the pressure was on and PSG got the goal they deserved with 12 minutes remaining, Neves diving to head home at the far post with no City defenders nearby.
PSG COMES BACK AGAINST MAN CITY 🤯
After being down 2-0, Joao Neves scores to give PSG the lead 🤩
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/t2p3ZSS6sS
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
The outstanding Dembélé had another goal ruled out for offside, then produced a fine save from Ederson as PSG went for the jugular.
Substitute Ramos saw an effort saved by Ederson from close range, but the Brazil international could do nothing when another Ramos effort, with the last kick of the match, was given after a long check of the VAR.
