Paris Saint-Germain edge Monaco to reach Champions League last 16
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Paris Saint-Germain secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a tense 2–2 draw against Monaco in the second leg of their playoff tie. Despite playing most of the game with 10 men after Mamadou Coulibaly was sent off, PSG held on to win 5–4 on aggregate. The match saw late drama, including a last-minute equalizer by Jordan Teze for Monaco, but PSG’s resilience ensured their progression. Key moments included Marquinhos’ decisive goal from a free-kick and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s winner before stoppage time.
The game mirrored the first leg, where PSG had also come from behind to win 3–2 despite an early red card for Monaco’s Aleksandr Golovin. This time, Akliouche gave Monaco the lead, but Coulibaly’s dismissal shifted momentum in favor of the defending champions. PSG demonstrated their strength under pressure, converting from a free-kick and capitalizing on Monaco’s numerical disadvantage to take control of the game.
Monaco, who entered the match as underdogs and were missing key players due to injuries and suspensions, fought valiantly but ultimately fell short. Their last knockout win in the Champions League dates back to 2017, when Kylian Mbappé was part of the squad. PSG’s progression keeps their hopes alive for a potential title defense, with their next challenge being a draw against Barcelona or Chelsea.
The match highlights PSG’s ability to perform under pressure and their tactical adaptability despite setbacks like the absence of Ousmane Demb
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/25/2026