Wednesday night at the Parc des Princes played host to what is fast becoming a UEFA Champions League classic, as Paris Saint-Germain welcomed Liverpool. While many expected a closely contested heavyweight duel, the reality was a one-sided affair, with the Parisians showing a surprising degree of leniency in a dominant 2-0 victory.

The breakthrough came as early as the 11th minute. Désiré Doué let fly from the edge of the area, seeing his effort take a wicked deflection off Ryan Gravenberch before nestling under the crossbar. Giorgi Mamardashvili scrambled to react, but the Liverpool keeper was left helpless by the change in trajectory.

After a brief period of complacency, PSG shifted back into gear. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia intercepted a loose ball inside the box and aimed for the far corner; another deflection, this time off Alexis Mac Allister, forced Mamardashvili into a superb reactionary save to deny his international teammate.

The pressure remained relentless. Five minutes later, Doué saw a point-blank effort denied by the keeper’s trailing leg, followed shortly by Ousmane Dembélé scuffing a shot at the end of a lightning-quick counter-attack. Liverpool’s first meaningful contribution didn't arrive until the 48th minute when Hugo Ekitiké dragged a shot wide of the far post—their only real sight of goal in a dismal outing.

PSG eventually doubled their advantage in the 65th minute through a moment of Kvaratskhelia magic. The Georgian talisman collected a weighted through-ball, turned the Liverpool defence inside out with some exquisite footwork, and coolly slotted past Mamardashvili to make it 2-0.

The scoreline could have worsened for the visitors when Ibrahima Konaté appeared to have fouled Warren Zaïre-Emery in the area. The referee originally pointed to the spot but rescinded the penalty and Konaté's yellow card following a VAR review.

The closing stages were a succession of missed opportunities for the hosts. Achraf Hakimi saw a stinging drive turned behind for a corner, before Dembélé struck the woodwork following a crisp pass from Lee Kang-in. In stoppage time, a two-on-zero break saw Nuno Mendes lose his footing, and the referee waved away another penalty shout after Konaté bundled his man over in the box. Ultimately, Liverpool will return to Anfield relieved to have escaped with only a two-goal deficit.

2025-26 UEFA Champions League

PSG - Liverpool 2:0 (1:0)
Goals: Doue D., 11 (1:0); Kvaratskhelia, 65 (2:0)

PSG: Safonov M.; Hakimi; Mendes N.; Marquinhos; Vitinha F.; Kvaratskhelia; Zaire-Emery; Pacho; Neves J. P.; Doue D. (Lee Kang-in, 78); Dembele O. (Lucas Hernandez, 88)
Substitution: Lee Kang-in (from 78); Lucas Hernandez (from 88)
Bench: Chevalier L.; Marin R.; Beraldo L.; Zabarnyi; Mayulu; Fernández Dro; Mbaye; Ramos G.

Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Gomez; van Dijk; Konate; Kerkez M. (Robertson A., 78); Frimpong J. (Nyoni, 91); Gravenberch R.; Wirtz (Gakpo, 78); Szoboszlai (Jones Cur., 79); Mac Allister A.; Ekitike (Isak, 79)
Substitution: Robertson A. (from 78); Gakpo (from 78); Jones Cur. (from 79); Isak (from 79); Nyoni (from 91)
Bench: Woodman; Chiesa F.; Salah; Ngumoha
Yellow Cards: Gomez 28; Mac Allister A. 31