Paris Saint-Germain’s faltering Champions League campaign continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by PSV Eindhoven at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.
PSV took the lead through Noa Lang just after the half-hour mark, but PSG equalised early in the second half thanks to a powerful strike from Achraf Hakimi. Despite dominating the match and creating numerous chances, PSG were once again frustrated in front of goal, a recurring issue for them in European competition.
The game reached a dramatic climax in injury time when PSG were awarded a penalty after Marco Asensio was fouled in the box. However, the decision was overturned following a VAR review. PSG finished the match with 25 attempts on goal compared to PSV’s seven, but their inability to convert those chances left them ruing another missed opportunity.
PSG have now scored just twice in their last five Champions League matches, with one of those goals being an own-goal. This poor run stretches back to last season’s semi-final defeat against Borussia Dortmund, where they lost 2-0 on aggregate.
Following a narrow 1-0 win over Girona and a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in their previous two group stage matches, PSG now have four points from a possible nine. With upcoming fixtures against Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, their path forward in the competition looks increasingly difficult.
PSV, still winless after losing to Juventus and drawing against Sporting, showed the significant challenge European football presents for them, despite their perfect domestic record in the Eredivisie this season.
Ousmane Dembele returned to the starting line-up for PSG after being rested in Ligue 1 and controversially benched against Arsenal. However, the French winger was wasteful in front of goal, missing key opportunities in the first half. Lee Kang-in, preferred over Randal Kolo Muani, forced an early save from PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez, while Dembele hit the bar and squandered another clear chance minutes later.
PSV struck first after an interception from Olivier Boscagli exposed PSG’s defence, with Ismael Saibari setting up Lang to fire a low shot into the corner of the net.
PSG, on the verge of what would have been their seventh Champions League defeat in 15 matches since the start of last season, found a lifeline when Hakimi’s speculative 25-metre shot powered through Benitez’s legs in the 55th minute.
Late drama unfolded when Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg awarded PSG a penalty in the 93rd minute, only for it to be overturned after a VAR check. Benitez then made a stunning save from a Marquinhos header to secure the draw for PSV, as boos rang out from the frustrated PSG supporters.
The Qatari-owned club’s hopes of finally winning their first Champions League title this season appear increasingly distant.