Paris Saint-Germain thump Brest 7-0 and qualify for the round of 16

Paris host Stade Brestois for the second leg of the Champions League playoff. A goals from Vitinha and a brace from in-form Ousmane Dembélé gave a three-goal adavantage to the French champions, giving them a comfortable lead that should see them qualify for the round of 16 of the competition.

For this game, Luis Enrique chose to start with Barcola, Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia in his attacking trio, while Gianluigi Donnarumma made his return in the starting line-up after missing the game against Toulouse this weekend. On Brest's side, Ludovic Ajorque surprisingly started on the bench, while Mama Baldé led the front line with Sima.

Paris Saint-Germain's starting XI:Donnarumma; Marquinhos (cap.), Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi; Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves, Vitinha; Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Barcola.

Stade Brestois starting XI: Coudert; Zogbé, Chardonnet, Coulibaly, Haidara; Faivre, Lee-Melou, Fernandes, Pereira Lage; Sima, Baldé.

Champions League : Paris Saint-Germain thump Brest 7-0 and qualify for the round of 16

PSG captain Marquinhos made an amazing goal line clearance to prevent the visiting side to take the lead on the night at the 13th minute. Three minutes later, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's long range effort came close to open the score. At the 20th minute, Paris got the goal they deserved as Bradley Barcola gave a four-goal lead to his side on aggregate.

Paris Saint-Germain made it 2-0 on the night with five minutes left in the first half through KKhvicha Kvaratskhelia. The former Napoli star scored his first Champions League goal for the club, in a game largely dominated by the hosts so far. Just before half-time, Joao Neves' volley hit the crossbar after a fantastic move with Ousmane Dembélé.

The second half began on the same tempo with Paris dominating the visitors creating many chances to increase their lead. Yet, to Brest credit, they bounced back and came close to reduce their deficit twice in less than a minute through Pierre Lees-Melou and Chardonnet.

Nonetheless, Vitinha scored Paris' third goal with a perfectly placed shot just outside the box at the 59th minute, making it 6-0 on aggregate. Substitute Désiré Doué scored the fourth goal of his side, his second goal of the 2024/2025 campaign. Nuno Mendes made it 5-0 as Hakimi fired across the face of goal for the Portuguese to convert in the empty goal.

Presnel Kimpembe made his return to European football in the last 15 minutes of the game, his first appearance in the competition in over two years since his achilles injury. Gonçalo Ramos took part in his side's goal fest with the sixth goal of the night. With less than five minutes left, substitute Senny Mayulu scored the seventh goal for Paris.

Luis Enrique and his side will face either Liverpool or Barcelona in the round of 16. The draw will take place on Friday 21 February at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

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