Paris Saint Germain delivered a masterful performance, defeating Liverpool 2-0 at the Parc des Princes, spearheaded by goals from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Paris Saint Germain secured a dominant 2-0 victory over Liverpool in a compelling UEFA Champions League encounter on April 8, 2026. Young sensation Désiré Doué set the tone early, leading PSG to a deserved win.
Heading into this crucial Champions League tie, both teams boasted strong European credentials. Paris Saint Germain, with recent impressive form, aimed to establish an advantage at home. Liverpool sought to continue their continental progress despite a mixed run of results.
The hosts wasted no time asserting their authority. In the 11th minute, Désiré Doué broke the deadlock, finding the net with a clinical finish to give Paris Saint Germain an early lead. His quick strike energized the Parc des Princes crowd.
Liverpool struggled to gain a foothold, absorbing significant pressure from PSG's fluid attack. The Reds’ frustrations mounted, leading to defensive errors. Joe Gomez received a yellow card in the 28th minute for a late challenge.
Just three minutes later, in the 31st minute, Alexis Mac Allister also saw yellow for tripping an opponent. These bookings highlighted Liverpool's difficulty in containing PSG’s offensive threat throughout the opening half.
At halftime, Paris Saint Germain held a comfortable lead, but the question remained whether Liverpool could find a way back into the contest. The visitors needed a significant tactical shift and more attacking impetus to challenge the dominant home side.
The second half saw Paris Saint Germain continue their command of the midfield. They patiently built attacks, limiting Liverpool's counter-opportunities. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was a constant menace on the wing.
Kvaratskhelia doubled PSG's advantage in the 65th minute. João Neves provided a precise assist, allowing Kvaratskhelia to coolly slot the ball past the goalkeeper. This goal further solidified the Parisians' grip on the match.
With the game seemingly secured, both managers made changes. Doué, having scored the opener, was replaced by Lee Kang-In in the 78th minute. Liverpool introduced fresh legs, with Andy Robertson entering, hoping to spark a late comeback that never materialized.
The match statistics painted a clear picture of PSG's dominance. They enjoyed 75% ball possession, registered 18 total shots with 6 on target, and boasted an impressive 2.27 expected goals (xG). In stark contrast, Liverpool managed only 3 shots, none on target, and a mere 0.18 xG.
This comprehensive 2-0 victory provides Paris Saint Germain a significant advantage heading into the return leg. Liverpool now face an uphill battle, needing a strong performance at Anfield to overcome the deficit and progress in the UEFA Champions League.
