Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the UEFA Champions League last 16 after a tense 2-2 draw with 10-man AS Monaco on Wednesday.
The result secured a 5-4 aggregate victory, sending PSG through to the next round despite late pressure from their Ligue 1 rivals.
Monaco Strike First
Monaco opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime. Maghnes Akliouche fired home off the post following a well-worked move involving Caio Henrique and Mamadou Coulibaly.
PSG had earlier threatened through Bradley Barcola, whose angled strike hit the crossbar. However, Monaco carried their advantage into halftime and looked capable of causing an upset.
PSG Responds in the Second Half
PSG captain Marquinhos equalised from close range in the 60th minute to restore parity.
Six minutes later, Achraf Hakimi unleashed a long-range effort that was parried into the path of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who converted to give PSG the lead.
Late Drama and Narrow Escape
Monaco refused to surrender. Substitute Jordan Teze equalised in stoppage time from Simon Adingra’s cross, setting up a nervy finale.
Defender Wout Faes then missed a last-gasp opportunity to force extra time when his glancing header drifted wide.
PSG admitted they were shaken by Monaco’s late push but were relieved to progress.
“At the end, when they scored, we felt stressed and it was scary,” said Desire Doue. “The objective is to dominate the whole match, but you also have to know how to come back from behind.”
PSG will now face either FC Barcelona or Chelsea in the last 16 as they continue their title defence.
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