PSG Leverkusen’s 7-2 Champions League rout unfolded like a masterclass in Parisian flair last night at the BayArena, where Paris Saint-Germain dismantled Bayer Leverkusen in a goal fest that left the home crowd stunned and the visitors perched atop Group B with a flawless nine points from three outings.
Luis Enrique’s side, already buzzing from their Ligue 1 dominance, turned the German powerhouse into a punchbag, netting seven times in a display of ruthless precision that echoed their halcyon days under the lights of Europe’s elite competition.
The carnage kicked off early, with Ecuadorian defender Willian Pacho rising like a colossus to head home a corner in the 8th minute, silencing the 30,000-strong Die Werkself faithful before they’d barely settled into their seats.
Leverkusen, still reeling from a Bundesliga stutter, attempted to rally, but PSG’s midfield maestros effortlessly pulled off the victory. Désiré Doué, the 19-year-old prodigy who’s been turning heads since his Rennes days, doubled the lead in 22 minutes with a curling beauty from the edge of the box, then added his second just before halftime – a cheeky chip over Lukáš Hrádecký after a slick one-two with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Georgian wizard, fresh off a Napoli exit that felt like yesterday, slotted home the fourth in the 38th, his low drive finding the bottom corner after latching onto a Mendes cross.
Halftime couldn’t come soon enough for Xabi Alonso’s men, who emerged shell-shocked and two men down within 20 second-half minutes.
Nuno Mendes, the Portuguese full-back who’s been reborn under Enrique, capitalised ruthlessly, rifling in the fifth from 20 yards and then teeing up Vitinha for a tap-in that made it 6-0 by the hour mark.
However, the rally was shattered when Ousmane Dembélé, who had substituted in the 75th minute due to a hamstring injury and revelling in his recent Ballon d’Or glory, skilfully scored the seventh goal, igniting the PSG bench like fireworks on Bastille Day. Mendes walked off with Player of the Match honours for his goal and assist, capping a night where PSG’s depth shone brighter than the BayArena floodlights.
“We came to make a statement, and we did – for the fans, for the trophy,” the 23-year-old grinned post-match, sweat still beading on his brow. Enrique, ever the philosopher, tempered the triumph: “Seven goals? Beautiful chaos. But Leverkusen will bounce; respect to Xabi’s project.”
Alonso, gracious in defeat, admitted his side’s discipline crumbled: “Two reds killed us, but PSG were levels above – a wake-up for our UCL dreams.” This crushing victory propels PSG to a three-point lead in Group B, while Arsenal and Sporting CP are trailing behind due to their own mistakes.
For Leverkusen, it’s a harsh lesson in the Champions League’s unforgiving theatre—their first home loss in 18 months, no less. As the autumn chill bites in the Ruhr, whispers grow: Is this the vintage PSG team, primed for a sixth European crown?
Dembélé’s return to form makes the journey to Wembley seem more attainable. Fans are already dreaming of red-and-blue confetti; for now, the BayArena’s echoes serve as a siren call to the continent. Who’s next to feel the Parisian pulse?