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Balogun’s Early Brace Not Enough as PSG Rallies to Win Champions League Playoff First Leg 3–2

The tie now hinges on next week’s return leg in Paris.

Overview

  • Folarin Balogun scored twice inside 18 minutes for Monaco, including a 55‑second opener reported as the fastest PSG have conceded in the Champions League.
  • PSG equalized before halftime through Désiré Doué and Achraf Hakimi, then Doué struck again after the break to complete the comeback.
  • A VAR review upgraded Aleksandr Golovin’s yellow card to a red early in the second half, leaving Monaco with 10 men.
  • The brace was Balogun’s first at club level since March 2024 and lifted his season tally to 10 goals in all competitions.
  • His performance renewed scrutiny of Arsenal’s 2023 £35m sale, with Mikel Arteta having said then that Balogun wanted a permanent move to Ligue 1.