Doue and VAR secure PSG's win in Monaco

Only the hard-core Monaco fans (and there are not many of them) believed that their team can make a miracle and defeat PSG in the first leg of the Champions League playoff, especially after they did it already once in Ligue 1(November 2025). But after only 18 minutes, the whole stadium believed it, as the hosts had a shocking 2-0 lead thanks to an ex Arsenal man Folarin Balogun. But in the end, the current European champion managed to turn the game around and win 3-2. How did it happen?

Well, two events had a major impact. A blessing in disguise was an injury to Ousmane Dembele, who came out in the 27th minute. His replacement, Desire Doue scored a brace and turned the game over completely. The second event was the an unawarded penalty for Monaco in a situation where the hosts could have equalized with 10 men on the field. It is totally amazing that the referees in the VAR room saw what everybody in front of the TV saw – a clear handball by Marquinhos and still decided not to call the referee on the field. At that point, PSG was already 3-2 up and with more man on the field, as VAR quickly reacted in order to give Golovin a red card in the 47th minute. But let‘s start from the beginning...

The first attack of the game resulted in a goal for the hosts. Golovin crossed from the left and PSG defense was caught off-guard, allowing Balogun to score easily. The guests took total command of the game (88% of possesion) but 17 minutes after the first goal they conceded the second. Played through down the middle by Akliouche, Balogun used his speed against Marquinhos to put the ball past Safonov for a shocking 2-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes. Faes, who was loaned from Leicester in January made a double mistake just few minutes later as he lost the ball to Kvaratskhelia and then fouled him in the penalty area. But Monaco‘s keeper Kohn made a fantastic save and denied Vitinha. Everything looked great until Ballon d‘Or winner Dembele had to come out due to an injury. Doue came in the 27th minute only to score two minutes later. In the 41st minute, Doue‘s shot was saved by Kohn but the rebound came to Hakimi who scored for the equalizer.

As soon as the second half started, Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano made two mistakes due to VAR room. Golodin made an unfortunate tacke on Vitinha‘s shin. Luckily for the player, Golodin‘s foot slided down his sock and didn‘t hurt the Portuguese midfielder. Mazano showed him a yellow card but VAR insisted and he changed his mind. With 10 men on the field, much better teams than Monaco could cope with PSG. Doue was the man again as he turned the game around completely in 67th minute with a third goal. Zakaria had the only chance in the 69th minute but Safonov made a good save. After a corner kick, the ball clearly hit Marquinhos in the hand but VAR concluded that nothing was wrong, thus not giving Monaco a rightfull penalty. PSG created a few good opportunities until the end, but failed to score more goals.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - PLAYOFFS

First leg

Tuesday

Galatasaray - Juventus 5-2 (1-2)

/Sara 15, Lang 49, 75, Sanchez 60, Boey 86 - Koopmeiners 16, 32/

Benfica - Real Madrid 0-1 (0-0)

/Vinicius 50/

Dortmund - Atalanta 2-0 (2-0)

/Guirassy 3, Beier 42/

Monaco - PSG 2-3 (2-2)

/Balogun 1, 18 - Doue 29, 67, Hakimi 41/

Wednesday

20.45: (7.75) Qarabag (4.50) Newcastle (1.42)

23.00: (5.00) Bodo (3.90) Inter (1.68)

23.00: (3.85) Club Brugge (3.90) Atl.Madrid (1.95)

23.00: (2.50) Olympiakos (3.35) Leverkusen (2.85)

***odds are subject to change***