In a dramatic clash in the first leg of the Champions League knockout phase play-off, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) managed to recover from a shaky start against AS Monaco. Monaco took an early lead thanks to Folarin Balogun, who scored twice within the first 18 minutes. PSG struggled at the outset, missing a penalty that could have cut the deficit. The situation worsened when Ousmane Dembele left the pitch due to injury. However, the turning point came when substitute Desire Doue entered, igniting a remarkable comeback for PSG.

Doue first pulled a goal back for PSG, invigorating the team's desperate hopes, and soon after, he assisted Achraf Hakimi in scoring the equalizer right before half-time. The match turned even more in PSG’s favor when Monaco's Aleksandr Golovin received a red card early in the second half, leaving the home side with ten men. Taking full advantage of this numerical superiority, PSG dominated the second half, with Doue scoring the decisive goal that sealed the match at 3-2.

This victory not only demonstrated PSG's fighting spirit but also set the stage for an exciting return leg in Paris. The outcome keeps the tie competitive and assures that both teams will enter the second leg with hopes of advancing in the prestigious Champions League tournament, with PSG buoyed by their dramatic comeback.