Manchester City 2-4 Paris Saint-Germain: Haaland 53, 75; Doue 13, Dembele 15, Vitinha 32, Akliouche 62
Manchester City’s eight-match winning run ended on Wednesday as Paris Saint-Germain held off their spirited second-half comeback to win 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland scored twice but could not prevent defeat.
City had looked outclassed before the break, conceding three goals as the European champions exploited gaps in their defence. Haaland’s two goals after half-time gave the hosts hope, but Maghnes Akliouche’s strike restored PSG’s three-goal advantage and proved decisive despite a late spell of sustained pressure from Enzo Maresca’s side.
Pep Guardiola, who left City at the end of last season, watched from the stands as his former club played their first home match since being found guilty of serious financial irregularities by an independent commission.
On the pitch, PSG quickly demonstrated why they are the reigning European champions. Their movement and passing repeatedly exposed City, with the visitors taking the lead in the 13th minute through Desire Doue. The winger cut inside from the left and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma at his near post after a swift attacking move.
PSG struck again almost immediately. Ousmane Dembele crossed from the right towards Doue, who returned the ball into the area for the French forward to head home. City had little time to recover before the visitors threatened to extend their advantage further.
Achraf Hakimi headed against the post as PSG continued to find space around the home defence. Their third goal arrived in the 32nd minute when Warren Zaïre-Emery supplied Vitinha, who drove a low shot past Donnarumma.
Hakimi missed another opportunity before the interval, shooting straight at Donnarumma when through on goal. By then, City were struggling to contain the visitors’ pace and fluid attacking combinations, while their own attempts to build momentum had produced little reward.
Maresca responded with three substitutions at half-time, introducing Matheus Nunes, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Iliman Ndiaye. The changes transformed the contest, with City attacking more aggressively and creating chances that had been absent in the opening period.
Enzo Fernandez missed a headed opportunity before Ndiaye forced Matvei Safonov into a save. City then reduced the deficit when Ndiaye delivered a cross from the left and Haaland directed a header into the far corner. The Norwegian’s finish gave the home side renewed belief and took his Champions League tally for City to a club-record 38 goals in 41 appearances.
Antoine Semenyo subsequently struck the crossbar, although the offside flag was raised. City continued to press for another goal, but PSG regained control of the scoreline through an extraordinary moment involving Donnarumma.
Akliouche struck from the edge of the penalty area, and the goalkeeper appeared to have pushed the ball away. Instead, it dropped back towards the goal and spun over the line, leaving City with another sizeable deficit to overcome.
The goal did little to slow the hosts. Fernandez hit the outside of a post, while Haaland sent a header against the crossbar as City piled forward in search of a way back into the match.
Haaland eventually scored again in the 75th minute, finishing low after good work from Bouaddi. The striker came close to completing his hat-trick when he stretched to meet a cross from Nunes, but Safonov produced an excellent save to preserve PSG’s advantage.
City continued to threaten until the closing stages, but their failure to convert their opportunities proved costly. PSG also missed a chance to add a fifth when Ferran Torres, introduced as a substitute, saw a weak stoppage-time penalty saved by Donnarumma.
