Source: Noble Atsu
Paris Saint-Germain produced a spirited comeback to defeat AS Monaco and secure a place in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, overcoming an early setback and a resilient Monaco side reduced to ten men.
The reigning French champions were stunned just before half-time when Maghnes Akliouche calmly slotted into the bottom corner after a perfectly weighted through ball from Mamadou Coulibaly. Despite creating further chances, Monaco failed to extend their lead.
The turning point arrived shortly before the hour mark when Coulibaly was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Achraf Hakimi, leaving Monaco a man down. Paris Saint-Germain seized the momentum almost immediately.
Captain Marquinhos restored parity with a composed finish from Désiré Doué’s low cross. Moments later, Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia completed the turnaround, tapping in from close range after Hakimi’s effort was pushed out by Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Köhn.
Although Jordan Teze pulled one back in stoppage time, the late strike proved insufficient to halt PSG’s progress.
The Parisians now advance to the last 16 and will discover their next opponents in Friday’s knockout draw, with Chelsea F.C. or FC Barcelona lying in wait.
