PARIS (BN24) — Luis Diaz scored twice but was sent off as Bayern Munich preserved their perfect start to the season with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League showdown at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday. The match, a repeat of the 2020 final in Lisbon, was overshadowed by a first-half injury to PSG star Achraf Hakimi.
The Colombian winger opened the scoring in the fourth minute after Michael Olise’s initial shot was blocked by PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, with Diaz pouncing on the rebound to fire Bayern into an early lead. He doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute, capitalizing on hesitant defending from Marquinhos to slot home.
However, Diaz’s heroics turned sour just before halftime. In a reckless challenge on Hakimi, Diaz brought down the Moroccan fullback, leaving him in tears with an awkwardly twisted left ankle. After initially receiving a yellow card, the decision was upgraded to a red following a VAR review, forcing Bayern to play the entire second half with ten men.
Despite the setback, Bayern’s defense remained resolute. PSG struggled to capitalize on the extra man, with Harry Kane unable to add to his 25 goals for club and country this season. Joao Neves pulled one back for the Parisians in the 74th minute after a deflected cross from Lee Kang-in, but Bayern held on to claim all three points.
The game was further disrupted by fitness concerns for PSG. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, making only his second start in two months after a hamstring injury, was substituted in the first half, leaving the Parisians without one of their attacking threats. Last season’s Champions League winners have also been hampered by the absence of key players such as Desire Doue, who shone in their final victory over Inter Milan.
Bayern’s triumph maintains their flawless record this season, extending their winning streak to 16 games across all competitions. They have scored 56 goals and are among just two clubs in Europe’s elite competitions, alongside Arsenal, to reach 12 points from four Champions League matches.
PSG, meanwhile, will hope that Hakimi’s injury is not severe, with the Moroccan expected to lead his country in the Africa Cup of Nations next month. The loss of both Hakimi and Dembele significantly blunted PSG’s attacking options in a contest that promised, and delivered, high drama.
The result reinforces Bayern’s credentials as title contenders and underscores the depth and resilience of Vincent Kompany’s squad. For PSG, the focus now shifts to recovery and squad management as they navigate the rest of the group stage while remaining in a strong position to advance to the knockout rounds.
