PSG reached the Champions League Round of 16 for the 14th straight year after a 2-2 draw with 10-man Monaco, surviving a major scare from their Ligue 1 rivals.
The reigning Champions League holders, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), have secured their place in the Round of 16 for the 14th consecutive season, though they certainly didn’t do it the easy way. Despite entering the match as favorites, PSG were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against a resilient 10-man AS Monaco side.
INTO THE ROUND OF 16! ❤️💙#PSGASM 2️⃣-2️⃣ I #UCL pic.twitter.com/C25GCbZyLI
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 25, 2026
Monaco arrived in Paris with a point to prove, needing to overturn a first-leg deficit to stay alive in the competition. They started with incredible intensity and were inches away from leveling the aggregate score within the first ten minutes. Maghnes Akliouche did the hard work to set up Mamadou Coulibaly, but the winger was unable to keep his effort down, firing a golden opportunity over the crossbar and letting the hosts off the hook.
As the first half progressed, PSG struggled to find their usual flow, though Bradley Barcola did manage to rattle the woodwork from a difficult angle. However, Monaco remained the more dangerous side and deservedly took the lead just before the interval.
Caio Henrique found space on the flank to deliver a cross that was eventually finished expertly by Akliouche, whose shot went in off the post to stun the home crowd and wipe out PSG’s aggregate advantage.
Just as the momentum seemed to be swinging toward a historic Monaco comeback, the match turned on a familiar disciplinary lapse. Mamadou Coulibaly, who had been instrumental in Monaco’s opening goal, received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Achraf Hakimi shortly after the restart. It was a “hero-to-zero” moment that forced the visitors to play with ten men for the remainder of the contest, much like the first leg.
PSG wasted no time in capitalizing on their man advantage. Within minutes of the red card, Désiré Doué produced a moment of individual brilliance, sauntering along the byline and playing a perfectly weighted pass across the face of goal. Marquinhos was in the right place at the right time to tap the ball home, restoring PSG’s aggregate lead and calming the nerves of the Parc des Princes faithful.
PURE PASSION 🫡❤️💙 https://t.co/SnciTWa1YT pic.twitter.com/gjZCWz0A4f
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 25, 2026
The hosts doubled their lead on the night shortly after, effectively putting the tie out of reach. Achraf Hakimi unleashed a powerful, low drive that was too hot for Philipp Köhn to handle. The Monaco goalkeeper spilled the rebound directly into the path of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who made no mistake in firing the ball into the back of the net. With a two-goal cushion and a man advantage, PSG looked to be cruising toward a comfortable finish.
However, Monaco refused to go quietly, and Jordan Teze managed to score a consolation goal in stoppage time following a cross from Simon Adingra. While there wasn’t enough time for a third, the late goal served as a final reminder of PSG’s defensive vulnerabilities. While Luis Enrique’s side are through to the knockouts once again, their reliance on red cards to turn ties around has many wondering if they have the discipline and depth to win back-to-back titles.
