The UEFA Champions League playoff round delivered high-octane football, with Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund securing commanding first-leg victories, while Juventus edged past PSV Eindhoven in a tightly contested battle. Here’s how the key matches unfolded:

PSG 3-0 Brest: Dembélé Leads the Charge

Paris Saint-Germain took a massive step toward the quarterfinals with a dominant 3-0 victory over Brest. Ousmane Dembélé stole the show, netting twice to put his side firmly in control ahead of the return leg.

• Vitinha opened the scoring in the 21st minute from the penalty spot after Pierre Lees-Melou’s handball inside the box.
• Brest nearly found an equalizer when Abdallah Sima’s header struck the post.
• Dembélé doubled PSG’s lead just before halftime, cutting inside from the right and firing past Marco Bizot at his near post.
• PSG thought they had a third early in the second half, but Désiré Doué’s goal was ruled out for offside.
• Dembélé secured his brace in the 66th minute, reacting quickly to a loose ball and smashing it home.

With this convincing win, PSG will look to finish the job at Parc des Princes on February 19.

Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Sporting: Guirassy Shines as Dortmund Takes Control

Last season’s finalists Borussia Dortmund put on a clinical display against Sporting, earning a 3-0 first-leg victory to put one foot in the next round.

• Sporting started strongly, with Maxi Araujo hitting the crossbar and Gregor Kobel making key saves to deny an early breakthrough.
• Dortmund struggled to create chances in the first half, failing to register a single shot on target.
• Serhou Guirassy broke the deadlock in the 60th minute with a looping header from Julian Brandt’s cross.
• Guirassy then turned provider, setting up Pascal Gross, who volleyed home from close range in the 68th minute.
• Karim Adeyemi sealed the win in the 82nd minute, finishing a lightning-fast counterattack to put Dortmund in a commanding position.

Despite Sporting introducing top scorer Viktor Gyökeres in the second half, they couldn’t break through Dortmund’s defense, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the second leg.

Juventus 2-1 PSV Eindhoven: Mbangula’s Late Strike Gives Juve the Edge

Juventus managed to grind out a narrow 2-1 win over PSV Eindhoven, with substitute Samuel Mbangula’s late goal proving the difference in Turin.

• Weston McKennie opened the scoring for Juventus with a powerful strike in the first half.
• PSV responded early in the second half, with Ivan Perišić netting an equalizer.
• Both teams pushed for a winner, but it was Mbangula who capitalized on a rebound in the 82nd minute to give Juventus a slender advantage.

The return leg in Eindhoven promises to be an intense battle, with PSV still in contention to overturn the deficit.

Second-Leg Preview: Who Will Advance?

• PSG vs. Brest: With a three-goal cushion, PSG will look to seal their spot in the quarterfinals at home.
• Dortmund vs. Sporting: Dortmund’s dominant first-leg performance puts them in a comfortable position, but Sporting will be hoping for a miracle comeback.
• Juventus vs. PSV: The tie remains in the balance, and PSV will be aiming to use home advantage to turn things around.

The second-leg fixtures promise even more drama as the road to the quarterfinals takes shape. Stay tuned for more Champions League action!