PSG 5-3 Tottenham Hotspur: Paris take down the Spurs in eight-goal thriller

Paris took on the Spurs at the Parc des Princes on Matchday 5, and secured their fourth win of the Champions League campaign. It was the second clash between these two sides this season after the European Super Cup that has seen Luis Enrique and his side defeat the Premier League after a dramatic penalty shootout.

For this game, PSG saw the return of Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, however, the Frenchman started on the bench. Meanwhile, PSG Academy graduate Quentin Ndjantou will lead the front line alongside Kvaratskhelia and Barcola. The usual midfield was displayed with Vitinha, Neves and Ruiz while Marquinhos partnered Pacho in the heart of the backline. Ultimately, Warren Zaire-Emery and Nuno Mendes will occupy the full-back positions.

Paris Saint-Germain started XI: Chevalier; Pacho, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Warren Zaire-Emery; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia, Ndjantou, Barcola.

Tottenham Hotspur’s started XI: Vicario; Romero, Van de Ven, Spence, Porro; Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, Gray, Betancur; Kolo Muani, Richarlison.

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The first half chance for PSG came from a great collective move from their box, ended with a long range effort from Fabian Ruiz, though, his strike went just wide of Vicario’s right post. After 15 minutes, the hosts were in control of the ball, but it was the Spurs who were more dangerous, making good use of a high press. Nonetheless, neither side managed to create any significant chances to open the score.

The following 20 minutes were dominated by Luis Enrique’s men who took control of the proceedings, putting the visitors on the back foot, yet, without creating any clear-cut chances to open the scoring.

Against the run of play, Richarlison opened the score for the Spurs after a remarkable collective move. The Brazil international was perfectly served by PSG loanee, Randal Kolo Muani and finished the play with a close range header, leaving no chance to Chevalier (35′). Just before the end of the first half, Vitinha brought both sides level. His thunderous strike hit the underside of Vicario’s crossbar, leaving the Italian just able to witness the goal (45′).

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At the start of the second half, the Spurs retook the thanks to a Randal Kolo Muani volley inside the box. The PSG loanee did not celebrate his goal (50′). Shortly after, Vitinha brought once again both sides level with his second goal of the night (53′).

At the 59th minute, the Spurs gave the ball away in front of their box and Fabian Ruiz made the most of Tottenham’s mistake to complete the comeback. Willian Pacho then made it 4-2, giving his side a two-goal cushion as he scored his second goal of the Champions League campaign (65′).

Randal Kolo Muani scored his second goal of the night, which came after a mistake from Vitinha in front of his box as Tottenham’s hope in this game were reignited (73′). Shortly after, Vitinha bagged a hat-trick from the spot following Romero’s handball in his box. The Portuguese maestro scored his fourth European goal of the campaign while seemingly ending all hope of a comeback for the visitors (75′).

In the dying moments of the game, substitute Lucas Hernandez was given a straight red card following a VAR check for an elbow to Xavi Simons’ face (90+3′).

Up next, Luis Enrique and his side will face AS Monaco on Saturday on Matchday 14 of Ligue 1 McDonald’s, while struggling, 8th-placed Monaco remains a tough opponents.