monaco vs psg: Substitute Desire Doue inspires holders' Champions League comeback
Paris St-Germain overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Monaco 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off at the Stade Louis II, with 20-year-old substitute Desire Doue scoring twice and creating the equaliser as the holders seized control ahead of the return in Paris next Wednesday (ET).
Early shock as Balogun double hands Monaco control
The contest began disastrously for the visitors when Folarin Balogun glanced home Aleksandr Golovin's cross inside the opening minute, capitalising on a loose pass from PSG's defence. The hosts doubled their advantage in the 18th minute as Balogun beat the offside trap and slotted beyond goalkeeper Philipp Kohn for his 10th goal of the season.
PSG's response was immediately blunted when Wout Faes hauled down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the area, presenting a lifeline from the spot. Midfielder Vitinha stepped up but saw his penalty saved by Kohn, who dived to his right to keep Monaco two goals ahead. Minutes later the visitors suffered another blow when Ousmane Dembele, a pre-match fitness doubt, was withdrawn with an apparent leg problem, replaced by Desire Doue.
Doue sparks turnaround with two goals and a hand in the equaliser
The substitution proved decisive. Doue fired PSG's first back in the 29th minute, drilling a low effort in off the post from an acute angle just two minutes after coming on. He then played a pivotal role in the leveller, forcing a save from Kohn with a shot from distance that fell kindly to Achraf Hakimi, who buried the rebound with a trademark half-volley four minutes before half-time to make it 2-2.
Doue added the winner midway through the second half when Warren Zaire-Emery found him on the edge of the box; the young forward guided a precise low shot into the corner to complete a remarkable impact. The effort took Doue's tally to four goals in this season's Champions League campaign and made him the first PSG substitute to score two or more goals in a Champions League match since October 2019.
Key moments that swung the tie and what they mean for the return leg
Monaco were reduced to ten men just after the break when Golovin was sent off following a studs-up challenge on Vitinha; the initial yellow was upgraded after the referee consulted the pitchside monitor. The dismissal altered the balance, placing the hosts on the defensive for much of the second half and allowing PSG to dominate territory and momentum.
That red card, coupled with Vitinha's missed penalty, ultimately proved decisive. Monaco's fast start still gives them confidence, but PSG leave the Principality with an invaluable away victory and the psychological advantage of overturning a two-goal deficit. The tie now heads to Paris for the return leg next Wednesday (ET), where PSG will be favourites on home turf but must manage squad fitness concerns, notably for Dembele, who was withdrawn in the first half with a leg issue.
For Monaco, the loss is a bitter blow after a promising opening period; they will hope to recover from the red card and find a way to contain PSG's impact subs in the return. For the holders, the result underlines the depth of their squad and the capacity for young talent to change big matches at the highest level.
