The UEFA Champions League's knockout stage has kicked off with thrilling encounters, highlighted by dominant performances from several teams on February 11. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a commanding 3-0 victory against Brest, indicating their strong intentions to advance to the next round. This first leg match took place at Stade du Roudourou, as Brest's home ground could not accommodate the game. The defeat for Brest, making their debut in the Champions League, appears to have left them struggling to maintain their form under the pressure of such high-stakes competition.
PSG's success was largely attributed to the stellar performance from their striker, Ousmane Dembélé, who netted two goals. The first goal came from a penalty by Vitinha at the 21st minute, followed by Dembélé's goals at the 45th and 66th minutes. This outcome almost guarantees PSG's progression to the next stage, with the return match set to occur on February 19 at home.
“Dembélé inspires Paris again,” noted UEFA’s official Twitter account, emphasizing the forward's significant impact on the game. Despite Brest's commendable campaign, which included impressive draws against teams like Bayer Leverkusen and PSV earlier this season, they found themselves overwhelmed by PSG's ruthlessness.
On the same night, Juventus earned a narrow 2-1 victory over PSV. The match demonstrated Juventus' resilience, particularly coming off strong performances throughout the early stage of the tournament. Weston McKennie opened the scoreline with a long-range shot, but Ivan Perišić equalized for PSV early in the second half. Juventus managed to claim the win thanks to substitutes who made decisive contributions late in the game. Federico Gatti was recognized as player of the match for his composed display.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid emerged victoriously from their encounter with Manchester City, winning 3-2 after showing relentless determination after trailing behind twice. This significant win showcased the defending champions' characteristic ability to perform under pressure, with Vinícius Júnior playing a pivotal role. His contributions led to two goals, securing the team’s lead as they continue their pursuit of yet another title, aiming for their 16th championship—an all-time record.
“Real once again demonstrates resilience by bouncing back to edge City,” reported UEFA.com. Both teams displayed high levels of competitiveness, but it was Real’s experience and strategic play during the tense concluding moments of the match which allowed them to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Dortmund continued their impressive run with a convincing 3-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon. Star player Serhou Guirassy scored the opener, setting the tone for Dortmund’s performance. They dominated the second half, taking advantage of their chances and executing effective counterattacks.
These results pave the way for the second leg of the knockout phase, which promises to be equally enthralling as teams vie for progression. The matches indicate which clubs are poised to excel as the tournament progresses. Fans can expect continued excitement with return matches on February 18 and 19, where teams will fight for their place among the elite clubs of Europe.