It is remarkable to think PSG went into this tie under pressure domestically after defeat at Monaco and an unconvincing start to 2026.

This team, lauded as the best in Europe last season, have been far less convincing and only reached this stage through the play‑off round – a tie they almost threw away despite facing 10‑man Monaco in both legs.

Even in the pre‑match media conferences, there were frosty exchanges between local reporters and manager Luis Enrique, while Barcola was asked why he had not scored a Champions League goal for more than a year.

He answered that question on the pitch, powering in a volley through a crowd of players and past the goalkeeper after just 10 minutes.

It was a sensational performance from the pacey attacker, selected ahead of Kvaratskhelia, and came on a night when Dembele was also under scrutiny for not matching last season’s level.