Angel Correa stunned Paris Saint-Germain with his stoppage-time strike snatching a dramatic 2-1 victory for Atletico Madrid.
The tasty UEFA Champions League clash looked set to be a stalemate at Parc des Princes, where Nahuel Molina had cancelled out Warren Zaire-Emery’s earlier effort.
However, there was to be a late twist in the 93rd minute, when substitute Correa rounded off a devastating counter with a neat finish to break PSG hearts.
The hosts made a purposeful start with Achraf Hakimi drilling wide inside the opening 60 seconds, before they broke through on 14 minutes.
Atletico were punished for lackadaisical play in defence with Ousmane Dembele stealing the ball and feeding Zaire-Emery, who neatly dinked over the stranded Jan Oblak.
The visitors responded well, though, and equalised just four minutes later. PSG failed to deal with a cross from the right with the defensive header going straight to Molina, who coolly finished.
Luis Enrique’s side looked the more likely to score the game’s third goal after the break. Hakimi and Bradley Barcola both called Oblak into action, while Marquinhos headed straight at the Atletico keeper.
But as the hosts pushed for the winner, they were exposed at the back and their opponents capitalised as Antoine Griezmann’s cross-field pass found Correa, who skipped inside before beating Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian might have done better, and there will be questions asked throughout the PSG team after a disappointing night.
Talking Point – Late, late show from Atletico
PSG will have been feeling confident heading into this mouth-watering clash.
Luis Enrique’s side had only suffered one defeat across all competitions this season, and were deserving of their lead following a positive start at Parc des Princes.
The advantage lasted just four minutes, though. Aiming to avoid three successive Champions League defeats for only the second time, Atletico responded well and were soon level through Molina’s neat finish.
Diego Simeone’s side had their backs to the wall for large periods of the second half, demonstrating their resoluteness at the back to keep PSG at bay.
Then, with one last attack, they stunned their hosts with a devastating counter.
Player of the Match – Achraf Hakimi
The PSG full-back produced a constant attacking threat from right-back, and was unfortunate to finish on the losing side.
But for some smart Oblak saves, the Morocco international would have got his name on the scoresheet.
He registered the most shots (five) and touches (148) during the contest, as well as the joint-most duels won (nine, level with Dembele and Gallagher).
Player Ratings
PSG: Donnarumma 7, Hakimi 8*, Marquinhos 8, Pacho 6, Mendes 7, Zaire-Emery 8, Vitinha 7, Neves 6, Dembele 7, Asensio 5, Barcola 7. Subs: Lee 6, Ruiz 5, Kolo Muani 5, Doue N/A.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak 7, Molina 8, Witsel 7, Lenglet 7, Galan 6, Simeone 6, De Paul 6, Barrios 6, Gallagher 7, Alvarez 6, Griezmann 7. Subs: Koke 6, Reinildo 6, Riquelme 6, Correa 8, Lino N/A.
Match Highlights
1′ JUST WIDE: PSG go straight onto the attack and Hakimi has space to take aim from the edge of the box. There is plenty of power behind his effort, but it is just the wrong side of the post.
14′ GOAL!!! PSG 1-0 ATLETICO MADRID (ZAIRE-EMERY): The youngster marks his landmark appearance with the opening goal! Atletico carelessly knock the ball around their own penalty area, and are dispossessed by Dembele. He then feeds Zaire-Emery, who calmly lifts over the stranded Oblak.
18′ GOAL!!! PSG 1-1 ATLETICO MADRID (MOLINA): A quick response brings the visitors level! PSG fail to deal with a cross following an Atletico attack, and Molina capitalises by drilling into Donnarumma’s far corner.
58′ GOOD SAVE: Barcola bursts into the box from the left flank, evading challenges from Witsel and De Paul. His fierce shot is beaten away by Oblak, with Hakimi firing the follow-up effort high and wide.
73′ CHANCE: PSG turn up the pressure and a deep cross finds Marquinhos completely free in the six-yard box. However, the skipper can only head straight at Oblak.
76′ CHANCE: After successfully beating the offside trap, Hakimi latches onto a through ball and is clear on goal. However, Oblak stands strong to thwart him from a tight angle.
90+3′ GOAL!!! PSG 1-2 ATLETICO MADRID (CORREA): Atletico have snatched all three points with the last kick of the game! Following a series of PSG attacks, Oblak gathers the ball and quickly throws it long for Griezmann. The latter holds the ball up before switching it out to the right for Correa, who cuts inside and takes aim, with Donnarumma only able to help his shot into the net. What a finish at Parc des Princes!
Key Stats
Zaire-Emery’s goal came on the day he became the youngest player in history to start 15 Champions League matches.
It was also his 18th appearance overall, the joint-most by a player before turning 19 (level with Bojan).
Griezmann’s assist for the winner was his 50th goal involvement in the Champions League (37 goals, 13 assists), becoming the fourth Frenchman to reach that total after Karim Benzema (117), Thierry Henry (75) and Kylian Mbappe (73).
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