Monaco 2-3 Paris Saint-Germain result – Substitute Desire Doue inspires PSG's comeback win over ten-man Monaco in thrilling Champions League first leg

Champions League / Knockout Round Play-offs

Stade Louis II / 17.02.2026

AS Monaco

Finished

Paris Saint-Germain

F. Balogun(1', 18')

D. Doué(29', 67')
A. Hakimi(41')

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Highlights

PSG BEAT TEN-MAN MONACO WITH DRAMATIC COMEBACK

Paris Saint-Germain will carry a 3-2 lead into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Monaco, following an action-packed first leg in the principality that featured five goals, a missed penalty and a red card.

Monaco stunned the defending European champions with an early brace through Folarin Balogun, who opened the scoring after a minute with the home side’s first meaningful attack of the game, before doubling the lead with a clinical finish on the counter-attack.

A disjointed PSG missed a first-half penalty through Vitinha and subbed off Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele after just 26 minutes with a possible calf strain as their night threatened to unravel. But Dembele’s replacement, Desire Doue, sparked a thrilling comeback, scoring just two minutes into his appearance before teeing up Achraf Hakimi to level the scores before the break.

Monaco’s up-and-down evening took a turn for the worse just after the interval when Aleksandr Golovin was sent off after a VAR review for a studs-up challenge on Vitinha that caught the Paris midfielder just below the knee with the ball long gone.

And the impactful Doue completed PSG’s comeback with a classy finish on 67 minutes, underlining his status as one of the continent's great talents.

But PSG manager Luis Enrique struggled to hide his frustration as his side failed to make their dominance count in the final 23 minutes against their ten-man opponents, missing a number of opportunities, meaning that the tie remains alive heading into the second leg in Paris next Wednesday.

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DÉSIRÉ DOUÉ = "FUTURE BALLON D’OR WINNER"

Désiré Doué came into this game on 26 minutes to replace (the potentially injured Ousmane Dembélé and completely turned the game on its head, scoring twice and running the show for the holders.

Super sub Doue hits back for PSG after surprise first-half Dembele replacement

Video credit: TNT Sports

And TNT Sports pundits Joe Cole and Karen Carney were full of praise for the youngster’s display.

"Doue coming on the pitch...what a player he is," said Cole. "He emerged on to the scene last season and he just gave them that lift and the back end of the Champions League campaign.

"I personally think, I'm happy to go on record, I think he's a Ballon d'Or winner in the future. Within the next five years.

"He's such a superb player. I love watching him play. He gets you off your feet. When he came on tonight, he just completely changed the game."

Mission accomplished as Doue puts PSG ahead with sumptuous team goal

Video credit: TNT Sports

And Carney agreed, saying: "[He] was the catalyst. Obviously from a PSG perspective, you hope Dembele's okay… but Doue changed the game, he really did. He had a bit of a point top prove as well, particularly in the attacking third, the clinical edge.

"His celebration - he put his hands to his ears, maybe to some of the comments that have come out in the French press this week. Who knows?

"He's come on. Clinical finish and changed the game."

Doue will win Ballon d'Or 'in the next five years', predicts Cole

Video credit: TNT Sports

JOE COLE REACTS TO PSG’S COMEBACK

Joe Cole has been reacting to that win for PSG, who came from two down to win 3-2.

"They did [need that]. It was a dreadful start, but a fantastic comeback.

"They could have really put it to bed tonight. I don't think this Monaco team has enough power or enough intensity in their game to really give them any problems back in Paris. I think they will comfortably come through.

"No [way back for Monaco], I don't think so. Just the difference in quality. Wout Faes playing for them at centre-half. He was on the bench for Leicester in the Championship. They're a real mixed bunch, Monaco. They've got some wonderful young players. Adringra's come in. But the quality's a massive difference.

"I look at PSG. The players on the bench and the players who weren't there. Ramos, Lee, Dembele to come back in. They'll have too much."

SOME FASCINATING STATS FROM THE EVENING

At 55 seconds, Folarin Balogun's opener was the earliest PSG have ever conceded in a UCL game.
That Balogun goal was Monaco's earliest ever UCL goal. It's also the earliest ever goal scored by an American in the competition.
Paris Saint-Germain have conceded 8 first-half goals in 9 games, only Ajax (10) and Kairat (9) have conceded more in the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had eight shots in tonight's match and failed to hit the target with any of them. On Opta record (since 2003-04) only Thierry Henry twice (vs Chelsea in April 2004 & CSKA Moscow in November 2006 - 8 on both occasions for Arsenal) has had an many attempts in a UCL game without hitting the target.
PSG had only once before come back to win one UEFA Champions League game when trailing by 2+ goals (P26 W1 D1 L24 before today), with that previous win coming against Man City in January last year (4-2).
PSG have scored 7 goals via substitutes in the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League, more than any other team.
Since the start of last season, Achraf Hakimi has been involved in more UCL goals than any other defender (13 - 5 goals, 8 assists)

WHO AWAITS THE WINNERS?

The winners of this tie will face either Barcelona or Chelsea in the Round of 16, depending on the outcome of the draw. Both Monaco and PSG will feel they could have put one foot in the knockout stages tonight, but neither were able to make the most of their respective platform and the tie remains very much alive heading into the second leg in Paris next Wednesday.

Full time

FULL-TIME: MONACO 2-3 PSG

The final whistle goes and PSG will take a narrow lead back with them to Paris after this pulsating first leg.

93'

HEAD IN HANDS FOR RAMOS

A PSG corner isn’t dealt with by the keeper as Ramos makes a nuisance of himself in the box, but the loose ball doesn’t fall for a Paris player. Seconds later Lee stings the palms of the keeper as the visitors push for a decisive fourth.

90'

90'

ADDED TIME

There will be four minutes added on at the end of this all-action Champions League game.

89'

ENRIQUE IS FUMING

The PSG manager can’t hide his frustration as his team waste a couple more dangerous attacking positions, with Vitinha shooting over the bar before a harmless cross trickles through to the keeper seconds later. Enrique knows that his team could have sealed this tie during this second half, but they haven’t been ruthless enough.

86'

MONACO ARE STILL IN THIS TIE

At 2-0 up Monaco would have been dreaming of a spot in the Round of 16, and those dreams aren’t dead just yet, despite PSG’s comeback. To trail by just a goal having played for the best part of a half with ten men would be an excellent outcome for Monaco going into the second leg.

83'

BALOGUN IS WITHDRAWN

Balogun has worked tirelessly for Monaco tonight, scoring his team’s two early goals before doing everything he could as an outlet, causing problems on the counter and relieving pressure wherever possible. His race is run. Biereth replaces him.

81'

CHANGE FOR PSG

That effort from Barcola was his last involvement in the game. He is replaced by Ramos.

80'

SO CLOSE TO A FOURTH

Barcola bursts in behind the Monaco defence and slides a shot towards goal that clips the inside heel of the outstretched Köhn and deflects fractionally wide of the post. The keeper had no idea where that went, but got a bit lucky.

78'

HAKIMI BLASTS OVER

After Lee’s effort is deflected behind for a corner, PSG work the ball from the set-piece to Hakimi, who has enough time to do better than his wayward effort that skies towards the fans behind the goal.

76'

AWAY FANS MAKE THE NOISE

It’s a strange ground in Monaco, not even close to full despite the occasion and with a subdued atmosphere. In fact, it’s the travelling PSG fans who seem to be making most of the noise, save for a small but extremely vocal set of Monaco ‘ultras’.

73'

PSG LOOK TO TAKE CONTROL

The defending champions are now a goal and a man up and are looking to stamp their authority on this two-legged tie.

70'

A DOUBLE CHANGE

This tie is in danger of slipping away from Monaco and they make a couple of changes to try and sure things up. On come Bamba and Coulibaly for Adingra and Vanderson.

Substitution in

A. BambaAS Monaco

Substitution out

VandersonAS Monaco

69'

MONACO WANT A PENALTY

After a Monaco shot was turned behind by the keeper, a corner is whipped into the box. It strikes the hand of Marquinhos and the home side want a penalty… but VAR disagrees, checking it and ruling that no further action is required.

69'

CHANGE FOR PSG

Some fresh legs are added for the visitors, with Lee replacing Kvaratskhelia.

Substitution in

K. LeeParis Saint-Germain

Substitution out

K. KvaratskheliaParis Saint-Germain

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