PSG shocks Manchester City with a thrilling 4-2 comeback victory

PSG's Bradley Barcola celebrates scoring their second goal

PSG Stage Stunning 4-2 Comeback to Shock Manchester City in Champions League Clash

Paris Saint-Germain mounted a dramatic comeback to overturn a two-goal deficit and defeat Manchester City 4-2 in a thrilling Champions League encounter on Wednesday. The result leaves the reigning champions outside the playoff positions and in danger of early elimination.

After City surged ahead with quick goals from substitutes Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland in the 50th and 53rd minutes, PSG came roaring back. Ousmane Dembélé opened the scoring for the hosts in the 56th minute, converting a cross from Bradley Barcola. Four minutes later, Barcola himself equalized, reacting swiftly to tuck in a rebound after Désiré Doué’s shot rattled the crossbar.

The momentum stayed with PSG as City struggled to regain their composure. Joao Neves capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 78th minute, heading in from close range after Vitinha’s free kick caused chaos in the box. Gonçalo Ramos sealed the victory with a stunning strike from just inside the penalty area, awarded after a lengthy VAR review confirmed he was onside.

“The team’s faith is unshakeable,” PSG manager Luis Enrique said. “We fight until the last second, and today we showed our character once again.”

City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his frustration after another defensive collapse. “To defend the result, you have to keep the ball. We didn’t have it,” he told TNT Sports.

PSG’s win lifts them to 22nd in the standings, while City, winners of the Champions League in 2023, slipped to 25th, just outside the playoff qualification zone.

City’s Do-or-Die Finale

City’s loss sets up a high-stakes finale against Club Brugge on January 29. The top eight teams in the league phase advance directly to the last 16, while teams placed 9th to 24th must navigate two-legged playoffs.

“We accept the defeat because the best team won,” Guardiola admitted. “We now have one last chance at home. If we don’t win, we don’t deserve to advance.”

PSG, the superior side for most of the match, had a goal by Achraf Hakimi disallowed for offside just before halftime but displayed relentless determination in the second half. Meanwhile, City’s defensive frailty, which also cost them a win against Feyenoord in November, remains a glaring issue.

For Grealish, the loss was difficult to process. “Usually, we’re so good in these moments,” he said. “This season, it’s happened too often. We’ve lost control at crucial times.”

As PSG prepares for their final league phase match against VfB Stuttgart, City face the daunting task of keeping their Champions League hopes alive.