Paris Saint-Germain put themselves in a commanding position in their Champions League knockout phase play-off against Brest, with Ousmane Dembele delivering another standout performance. The French forward found the net twice, extending his remarkable scoring streak to 18 goals in his last 11 matches across all competitions.
Dembele had already made an impact in the previous round, netting a hat-trick against Stuttgart. His scintillating form placed him on the verge of joining an elite group of players who have scored hat-tricks in consecutive Champions League games – an achievement previously accomplished by Lionel Messi in 2016 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2017. However, Dembele was substituted in the 82nd minute for Goncalo Ramos, denying him a chance to add another goal to his tally.
Clinical finishing and strong support
PSG’s attack was in full flow, with Dembele crediting his teammates for their role in his recent success. “The whole squad is performing at a high level, which makes my job easier. Players like Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia create great opportunities for me. I just have to finish them,” said the 2018 World Cup winner after the match.
PSG manager Luis Enrique praised Dembele’s development, emphasizing his growing influence in the team. “He was already impressive last year, but in 2025, he’s taken another step forward. It’s a privilege to have so many players brimming with confidence,” Enrique remarked.
The scoring opened in the 21st minute when Vitinha converted a penalty after Brest’s Pierre Lees-Melou was penalized for handling Dembele’s shot. Just before halftime, Dembele struck his first goal of the night with a composed finish, doubling PSG’s advantage. He added his second and PSG’s third in the 66th minute, capitalizing on a loose ball inside the box.
Brest left frustrated in their debut season
Brest, competing in the Champions League for the first time, struggled to contain PSG’s attacking force but came close to scoring on multiple occasions. The visitors were twice denied by the woodwork in the first half, highlighting their misfortune on the night.
This match marked the first play-off fixture under the new Champions League format, with the return leg scheduled in Paris on 19 February. PSG, who have yet to claim Europe’s top prize, found themselves at risk of elimination earlier in the competition. However, back-to-back victories over Manchester City and Stuttgart in the league phase secured their place in this knockout tie.
With a three-goal cushion, PSG are now in a prime position to progress. If they advance, they will meet either Liverpool or Barcelona – the latter being Dembele’s former club – in the round of 16.
