Desire Doue, a substitute who shone in last season's final, played a key role in the reigning champions' turnaround. The French forward initially started on the bench at Stade Louis II but was brought on by coach Luis Enrique to replace Ousmane Dembele when PSG found themselves two goals down midway through the first half.

The 20-year-old forward scored two goals and assisted Achraf Hakimi's equalizer, helping PSG secure a crucial victory in the first European encounter between the two top French clubs.

Doue (blue) scores against Monaco in the first leg of the Champions League play-off, at Louis II Stadium, Fontvieille, Monaco, on 17/2. Photo: Reuters

Host Monaco, who previously defeated Luis Enrique's side at this very stadium in Ligue 1 in 11/2025, opened the scoring in the first minute. Folarin Balogun headed home from close range after receiving a cross from Aleksandr Golovin.

Monaco, the lowest-scoring team among the 24 remaining clubs in this Champions League season, further complicated matters for PSG in the 18th minute. Balogun broke through to face Matvey Safonov and beat the goalkeeper, bringing his season tally to 10 goals.

PSG was awarded a penalty four minutes later after Wout Faes fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inside the box. However, Vitinha, who missed a penalty against Newcastle in the final group stage match last month, failed again. He could not beat Phillip Kohn, as the Monaco goalkeeper dove to his right to save the shot.

PSG's frustration was short-lived. The visitors reduced the deficit in the 29th minute when Doue, who had replaced Dembele two minutes earlier, struck the ball from a tight angle, hitting the post and finding the net.

The French player continued his contribution to the equalizer four minutes before halftime. Doue's long-range shot was parried by the Monaco goalkeeper directly into the path of Hakimi, who tapped in for his first Champions League goal of the season.

Monaco's difficulties mounted when Golovin was sent off for the second time in four days. The Russian player received the sanction immediately after halftime for a dangerous tackle on Vitinha. Golovin initially received a yellow card, but the decision was upgraded to a red card after the referee consulted VAR.

Leveraging their numerical advantage, the visitors completed their comeback in the 67th minute when Warren Zaire-Emery assisted Doue, who finished past Kohn. Doue became the first PSG substitute to score two or more goals in a Champions League match since 10/2019.

*(To be updated)