Doue strikes twice as PSG claw back to down Monaco

Paris Saint-Germain claimed a 3-2 comeback victory over AS Monaco in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout stage playoff tie at Stade Louis II on Tuesday night.

The host got off to a fast start inside 55 seconds when Folarin Balogun met Aleksandr Golovin’s pass to give the Red and Whites the lead.

At the other end, João Neves tried his luck from range under pressure, but he sent his effort wide of the top-left corner.

In the 18th minute, Balogun doubled his tally and Monaco’s advantage, drilling his low effort into the bottom corner, past Matvei Safonov.

Moments later, PSG were awarded a penalty after Wout Faes brought down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the area. Vitinha stepped up for the spot-kick, but Philipp Köhn denied the Portuguese from the spot.

Substitute Desire Doue pulled one back for the visitors in the 29th minute after he got onto Bradley Barcola’s pass, and the Frenchman found the bottom corner off the post.

In the 41st minute, Achraf Hakimi restored parity for PSG after Köhn parried Doue’s effort to his path, and he slammed home the rebound.

Monaco almost got an instant response to retake the lead, but Simon Adingra sliced his effort wide of the post.

Three minutes after the restart, Golovin was sent off for a reckless challenge on Vitinha, and the hosts were reduced to 10 men.

In the 67th minute, Doue completed the turnaround, netting his second of the night as he wriggled his way into the box before finding the bottom corner with a low shot.

Moments later, Barcola almost increased the deficit to put Monaco on the brink, but Köhn denied the Frenchman with his legs.

Paris Saint-Germain have the advantage going into the second leg as they host Monaco next week on Wednesday.