paris saint-germain vs chelsea live.Getty Images
Chelsea’s Champions League campaign is all but over after they were beaten 5-2 in the last-16 first-leg by Paris Saint-Germain thanks to a dazzling substitute performance from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Twice the Blues came from behind to equalise at the Parc des Princes after Bradley Barcola and Ousamne Dembele found the back of the net early on, but a late collapse left them with a mountain to climb in next week’s second-leg.
Chelsea have a mammoth task on their hands to stay in the UEFA Champions League after losing 5-2 at holders Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Bradley Barcola gave PSG an early lead at the Parc Des Princes, but after Malo Gusto equalised, Ousmane Dembélé quickly restored the hosts’ lead. Enzo Fernández levelled early in the second half, only for Vitinha to put PSG in front again.
Filip Jorgensen was handed a rare chance to impress in this match after seeming to unseat Robert Sanchez as Liam Rosenior’s No1, and he produced a generally impressive performance. He was at fault for neither of PSG’s first two goals, and he was confident, bordering on cocky, with the ball at his feet. But his misplaced pass in the 74th minute found the feet of Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, who squared for Vitinha to lob the helpless Dane and put PSG in front for the third time on the night.
Chelsea valiantly fought back from a goal down to PSG not one but twice on Wednesday, but the Blues came undone and conceded three goals in the final 20 minutes and trail the defending European champions 5-2.
MORE — Champions League scores, schedule
Bradley Barcola opened the scoring in the 10th minute, but Malo Gusto erased the deficit in the 28th. Ousmane Dembele put PSG ahead again in the 40th, but Enzo Fernandez scored in the 57th. Then it became the Khvicha Kvaratskhelia show, as the Georgian superstar came off the bench to set up Vitinha for PSG’s third goal in the 74th and then score a pair of beauties himself in the 86th and 93rd minutes. Whereas Chelsea have depth to come off the bench, PSG simply have world-class talent to all but end a tie in 30 minutes.
The second leg will be at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday (4 pm ET).
- Chelsea vs Newcastle — Saturday, 1:30 pm ET
PSG vs Nantes — Sunday, 12 pm ET(POSTPONED)- Chelsea vs PSG — Tuesday, 4 pm ET
PSG vs Chelsea live updates – by Andy Edwards
PSG vs Chelsea final score: 4-2
Goalscorers: Bradley Barcola (10′), Malo Gusto (28′), Ousmane Dembele (40′), Enzo Fernandez (57′), Vitinha (74′), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (86′, (90’+3)
PSG 5-2 Chelsea: Kvaratskhelia slots home another right before the end (90’+3)
GOAL! PSG 4-2 Chelsea: Kvaratskhelia smashes one from outside the box (86′)
NO GOAL! Joao Pedro offside before scoring Chelsea’s would-be equalizer (79′)
GOAL! PSG 3-2 Chelsea: Another goalkeeper gaffe gifts the lead back (74′)
GOAL! PSG 2-2 Chelsea: Fernandez pulls the Blues level again (57′)
GOAL! PSG 2-1 Chelsea: Dembele sneaks in behind, twists, turns and scores (40′)
GOAL! PSG 1-1 Chelsea: Gusto gets free at the back post and ties it up (28′)
GOAL! PSG 1-0 Chelsea: Barcola lashes one inside the near post (10′)
PSG starting XI
Safonov – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes – Vitinha, Zaire-Emery, Neves – Doue, Barcola, Dembele
Chelsea starting XI
Jorgensen – Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella – Caicedo, James, Fernandez – Palmer, Neto, Pedro
How to watch PSG vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 4pm ET (March 11)
Venue: Parc des Princes — Paris, France
TV Channel/Streaming: Paramount+
Liam Rosenior’s young side will be up against it when they face the reigning European champs but Chelsea do have the advantage of knowing they can beat PSG, as they did it in the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey back in July. Cole Palmer inspired that win and after injury he’s almost back to his best as Chelsea aim to finish the season with a flourish in two cup competitions and seal their spot in the top four of the Premier League.
PSG once again sit top of the table in Ligue 1 but it has been far from smooth sailing for Luis Enrique’s side this season. They are just one point ahead of second place Lens in the French top-light and are in a real scrap for the title. They have also been sluggish in the Champions League and had to go through the playoff round, where they just edged past Monaco 5-4 on aggregate. Ousmane Dembele’s injury issues have hit them hard, but there is still so much quality in this PSG side.
PSG team news, focus
Fabian Ruiz is out with an injury and he is the driving force of their midfield, while Joao Neves has been struggling with injury but should be back. It is hoped that star forward Ousmane Dembele could be fit to return for this game too and that would be a massive boost. Elsewhere the trio of Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are a formidable force from attacking midfield and will look to hit Chelsea on the counter early and often. Defensively PSG have struggled this season as goalkeeper Matvey Safonov has come in for Lucas Chevalier.
Chelsea team news, focus
The Blues have become a bit more pragmatic under Rosenior and they will need to dig in and defend extremely well to keep this tie alive after the first leg. Palmer, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro have been excellent in attack and Chelsea know that if PSG make similar defensive mistakes like they have recently, they will take advantage of it. Rosenior will look to keep it tight and give Chelsea a chance in the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo will be extremely important to shield this Chelsea defense.
PSG vs Chelsea prediction
This is a really tough one to call because both teams are capable of the sublime but have made big mistakes. Go for an entertaining draw. PSG 2-2 Chelsea.
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