UCL: PSG Take Control of Champions League Tie with 3-0 Win Over Brest

Paris Saint-Germain takes a commanding lead in their Champions League tie with a 3-0 win over Brest, thanks to a double from Ousmane Dembele.

Paris Saint-Germain secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Brest in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off tie, giving them a significant advantage. This win extended PSG's impressive unbeaten streak to 17 games.

The match marked a milestone in Champions League history, as it was the first all-French knockout tie since the 2009/10 season, when Lyon faced Bordeaux. PSG's dominance ensured a memorable evening for Les Parisiens.

Dembélé inspires Paris again 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/J8onGWEEWn

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 11, 2025

The familiarity between Paris Saint-Germain and Brest, stemming from their Ligue 1 encounters, was evident in the match's early stages. Both teams seemed to be sizing each other up, but the deadlock nearly broke in an unconventional manner. Gianluigi Donnarumma's attempted clearance ricocheted off Ludovic Ajorque's head, narrowly missing the post.

PSG capitalized on that narrow escape, benefiting from good fortune at the other end. Ousmane Dembele's goal-bound effort was blocked by Pierre Lees-Melou's hand, almost on the goal line, resulting in a penalty. Vitinha stepped up and confidently rolled the ball into the corner, giving Les Parisiens the lead.

The penalty proved to be a significant setback for Brest in their maiden European campaign. However, they came agonizingly close to equalizing before halftime. Abdallah Sima outjumped the opposition in the area, only to crash his header against the post.

Ousmane Dembele's consistent form made it almost inevitable that he would make a significant impact on the match. True to form, Dembele scored his customary goal before halftime. He drove forward down the right flank, cut inside, and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that found the back of the net at the near post.

Kvaratskhelia on his #UCL debut for Paris ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/LF3R0aIga0

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 11, 2025

Brest's primary objective for the remainder of the match was to remain in contention, and they narrowly avoided a daunting task just five minutes into the second half. Desire Doue tapped the ball into an empty net, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside infraction in the build-up.

Despite the initial reprieve, Brest's fate was ultimately sealed. Paris Saint-Germain's third goal arrived, and it came as no surprise that Ousmane Dembele was involved. Dembele reacted swiftly to a loose ball inside the area, forcing home a strike that effectively ended the contest and likely the tie.

In the closing stages, Brest launched a desperate search for a goal that would have rekindled some hope in the tie. However, their efforts were in vain, and they now teeter on the brink of elimination. In contrast, Paris Saint-Germain are all but assured of a 13th consecutive appearance in the Champions League's round of 16.