Paris Saint-Germain defeated Chelsea 5-2 to advance to the final 16 of the Champions League. Hviča Kvaratskhelia scored two objectives and offered one other help within the last levels.
Liam Rosenior’s facet might want to overturn a three-goal deficit in Tuesday’s return match at Stamford Bridge after substitute Kvaratschelia impressed towards the Parc des Princes.
Joao Pedro missed a fourth-minute likelihood from Reece James’s cross, however PSG six minutes later Ousmane Dembele’s cross was nodded in by Joao Neves and Bradley Barcola fired a half-volley into the roof of the web from close to the penalty spot.
Dembele then used Filip Jorgensen’s fingertips to rattle the woodwork and Chelsea hit again within the twenty eighth minute when Enzo Fernandes discovered Maro Gusto’s shot simply past the attain of Matvey Safonov.
Cole Palmer made a sensible cease for Safonov earlier than the break, however after beating Wesley Fofana, Desiree Douai launched Dembele and fired into the underside left nook, permitting PSG to flee on the counter-attack.
Chelsea scored within the 57th minute when Pedro Neto broke by from the left and Fernandes scored, however a wasteful mistake from Jorgensen gave the ball to Kvaratschelia after Barcola’s interception, and within the 74th minute, Vicinha readily available coolly fired a shot on the caught Chelsea goalkeeper.
João Pedro’s end was dominated out for offside moments later, however Kvaratsheria danced inside first and smashed it into the highest proper nook, setting in Achraf Hakimi’s cut-back in stoppage time to seal the victory.
We take the lead on the primary leg!
That is Paris! #PSGCHE #UCL pic.twitter.com/GFMIBf0ac0
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) March 11, 2026
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Barcola’s opening objective was his first within the Champions League since towards Brest in February 2025, ending a run of 17 video games and not using a objective in UEFA’s flagship competitors earlier than Kvaratscheria took middle stage.
The Georgian has been instantly concerned in 5 objectives (three objectives, two assists) within the final 5 Champions League video games and has scored in each of his substitute appearances on this season’s competitors.
Duet has additionally been instantly concerned in 4 objectives (two objectives, two assists) within the final three Champions League video games, making him the primary participant within the competitors to attain or help in three consecutive video games.
Fernandes nearly single-handedly led Chelsea to parity, scoring and aiding for the primary time ever in a Champions League recreation.
Nonetheless, the Blues in the end completed the sport empty-handed within the French capital regardless of having an anticipated objectives (xG) of 1.53 to PSG’s 0.87.
