In a pulsating encounter that saw both sides finish with 10 men, Paris Saint-Germain produced a ruthless display to crush Bayer Leverkusen 7-2, marking only their third victory in the last 11 UEFA Champions League away games against German opposition.
PSG wasted no time asserting dominance, breaking the deadlock inside seven minutes.
After seeing his initial effort deflected for a corner, Nuno Mendes took the short pass and whipped in a perfect cross that Willian Pacho nodded home for his first-ever goal in PSG colours.
Leverkusen remained dangerous despite PSG’s early control, with young Claudio Echeverri orchestrating several promising moves.
His persistence paid off when he forced Ilya Zabarnyi into handling the ball inside the box. However, Alejandro Grimaldo’s resulting penalty rattled the post, a costly miss for the hosts.
Moments later, the drama intensified. Robert Andrich was dismissed for elbowing Desire Doue, seemingly handing PSG full control.
But parity in numbers was restored soon after when Zabarnyi dragged down Christian Kofane, earning a red card and gifting Leverkusen another penalty, which Aleix Garcia calmly converted into the bottom corner.
Unfazed, PSG hit back almost immediately. Doue initiated and completed a slick exchange with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, restoring the lead with a composed finish.
Just three minutes later, Kvaratskhelia made it 3-1, firing in a rebound that ricocheted off both posts before crossing the line.
Before halftime, PSG made it four, Doue again at the heart of it, carving space on the edge of the area and curling an inch-perfect strike past Mark Flekken.
The second half began the same way the first ended, with PSG in total control. Within five minutes, Vitinha threaded a clever pass to Mendes, who beat Flekken with a driven effort that the keeper could only partially stop.
Garcia briefly reignited Leverkusen’s hopes with a sensational long-range effort into the top corner, but PSG responded instantly.
Bradley Barcola unselfishly squared for returning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, who marked his comeback with a confident finish.
Vitinha then capped off a masterful performance with a thunderous strike from distance, sealing a statement win for Luis Enrique’s men.
The emphatic result gave PSG their fifth consecutive Champions League victory, equaling their longest-ever run in the competition and handed Kasper Hjulmand his first defeat as Leverkusen manager, leaving Die Werkself stranded on just two points.
