Paris Saint-Germain 4-2 Manchester City: Guardiola's side in peril after stunning comeback

PSG climbed up to 22nd in the table, while City dropped to 25th, leaving them outside the playoff places and in danger of elimination at the league stage.

In an even first half, both sides had chances to take the lead, with Fabian Ruiz seeing a half-volley cleared off the line by Josko Gvardiol before Achraf Hakimi's effort was disallowed following a VAR review.

The game came to life in the second half though, and City looked to have wrestled control as Jack Grealish turned in the rebound of Bernardo Silva's saved shot in the 50th minute before Erling Haaland doubled their lead three minutes later from close range.

However, Ousmane Dembele halved the deficit shortly after, sweeping home Bradley Barcola's cross before the youngster equalised on the hour mark. He neatly tucked the rebound past a stranded Ederson after Desire Doue's blistering shot came back off the crossbar.

PSG then parked themselves in City's half and took the lead in the 78th minute as the visitors struggled to clear Vitinha's free-kick, leaving Neves unmarked to head in at the back post.

Goncalo Ramos then wrapped up the game in style for PSG, slotting in their fourth in stoppage time, though he had to wait for a lengthy VAR review to confirm his goal.

90'+6 - WE WINNNNN!!!What a match for our Parisians! #PSGMCI | #UCL pic.twitter.com/k4rSHlAC2B

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 22, 2025

Based on the scoreline in the 53rd minute, PSG almost looked down and out as a defeat here would have given them a mountain to climb in the final round of matches next week.

However, they showed their fighting spirit, coming back from a 2+ goal deficit in the Champions League for the very first time, having lost 23 of the previous 24 occasions they trailed by two or more goals (D1).

Barcola helped to lead that charge, scoring and assisting in the same Champions League game for the first time in his career (17 appearances in total - two goals, two assists).

Unlike their counterparts, City are now in real trouble. They have lost their last three away matches in the competition, their second-longest losing streak since between November 2011 and December 2012 (a run of four under Roberto Mancini).