By Chalien Dantes

Substitute Desire Doue stole the show as Paris Saint-Germain came from two goals down to snatch a first-leg win over 10-man AS Monaco in the Champions League knockout play-off. 

The 20-year-old, introduced midway through the first half for Ousmane Dembele, scored twice and set up Achraf Hakimi’s equaliser to complete a turnaround at Stade Louis II.

Monaco, who had beaten PSG at the same venue in Ligue 1 last November, raced into a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes thanks to Folarin Balogun, leaving PSG’s Champions League hopes looking shaky. A missed penalty from Vitinha added to the drama, but Doue gave PSG a lifeline in the 29th minute with a precise strike off the post. Four minutes later, he played a key role in Hakimi’s half volley, putting PSG back on level terms just before halftime.

The game took another turn after the break when Aleksandr Golovin was sent off for a reckless challenge on Vitinha. PSG capitalised on the advantage in the 67th minute as Warren Zaire-Emery set up Doue for the match-winning strike, making him the first PSG substitute to score two or more Champions League goals in a game since October 2019.

The second leg in Paris is set for Wednesday, February 25th, with PSG looking to secure their spot in the next round.