Dembele Marks Return with Goal as PSG Crush Leverkusen 7–2 in Champions League Rout

Ousmane Dembélé scored on his return from injury as Paris Saint-Germain demolished Bayer Leverkusen 7–2 in a one-sided Champions League clash on Tuesday, with both sides finishing the game with 10 men.

The Ballon d’Or winner came off the bench in the second half and found the net just three minutes later, marking his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury in early September.

Desire Doué bagged a brace, while Willian Pacho, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, and Vitinha were also on target as the French champions ran riot at the BayArena, sending a strong message to their European rivals.

For the hosts, Aleix García scored both goals, but Leverkusen’s night unraveled when captain Robert Andrich was sent off for elbowing Doué, followed soon after by PSG defender Illia Zabarnyi, who received a red card for conceding a second penalty in the 37th minute.

Despite an injury-hit and inconsistent season, PSG dominated after the red cards, displaying the attacking power and resilience that fueled last year’s treble-winning campaign.

The visitors’ preparation was boosted by the return of Dembélé and captain Marquinhos, both fit enough to travel to Germany. They watched from the bench as PSG took the lead inside seven minutes, when Mendes crossed for Pacho to head home at the far post.

Leverkusen missed an early chance to equalize after Alejandro Grimaldo struck the post from the penalty spot following a Zabarnyi handball. Moments later, Andrich’s reckless challenge left his team with 10 men, but Leverkusen briefly revived hope when Zabarnyi fouled Christian Kofane to concede another penalty and was dismissed himself, with García converting from the spot.

Instead of folding, PSG responded explosively — scoring three times in eight minutes before halftime. Doué netted twice, either side of a Kvaratskhelia thunderbolt, giving the French side a commanding 4–1 lead at the break.

Mendes extended the advantage early in the second half, before García’s long-range strike gave the hosts a brief lift. But PSG’s superiority shone through again as Dembélé slotted home from a tight angle and Vitinha capped the scoring, sealing a 7–2 triumph for the defending champions.

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