PSG beat Manchester City in Champions League after financial rules verdict

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) beat Manchester City 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday in the Champions League, Europe's top club football competition. It was City's first home match since an independent commission ruled last month that the club was guilty on more than 100 charges of financial impropriety under Premier League rules. The 10-time English champions face heavy sanctions unless an appeal succeeds.

First half decides the tie

PSG, the European champions, scored three times in the opening 35 minutes through Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha. Doue opened the scoring from outside the box after a quick counter-attack, and Dembele headed in the second after the pair exchanged a one-two. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, whom coach Luis Enrique let go months after the club's first Champions League title in 2025, endured a difficult night.

Enrique's choice to leave Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the bench meant Doue began on the left wing.

City fight back

City manager Enzo Maresca made a triple substitution at half-time. Erling Haaland scored twice, with Maghnes Akliouche's goal in between briefly restoring PSG's three-goal lead; his shot hit Donnarumma's hand, looped into the air and dropped into the net. Donnarumma later saved a penalty from Ferran Torres, denying PSG a fifth goal.

Background

Former City manager Pep Guardiola returned to the stadium for the first time since leaving in May, sitting behind chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano. On Sunday, City won 3-0 at Liverpool and remain top of the Premier League.