Match ends, Manchester City 2, Paris Saint Germain 1.
Manchester City came back from behind to beat Paris St-Germain and secure qualification for the Champions League last 16 - doing so as Group A winners.
City's outstanding display reaped the reward it deserved, as they showed character as well as class after Kylian Mbappe swept PSG into a 50th-minute lead.
PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino, heavily linked with Manchester United following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking, was left disappointed as City hit back in style to turn the game around.
Raheem Sterling's recent good run continued as he turned home Kyle Walker's far post touch to equalise after 63 minutes. Then substitute Gabriel Jesus was the beneficiary of an exquisite lay-off from Bernardo Silva to beat PSG keeper Kaylor Navas from close range 13 minutes later.
PSG's superstar trio of Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar were a sporadic threat but City carried the greater danger and this was a well-merited victory, putting them into the last 16 before they travel to face RB Leipzig for their final Group A game, which will be played behind closed doors.
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Man City overpower PSG
For all PSG's attacking riches, it was Manchester City who carried the more concerted threat - with the only concern initially that they could not cash in on their domination.
Pep Guardiola's side were on the front foot from the first whistle and it required Presnel Kimpembe's header to deny Rodri, before Achraf Hakimi diverted a shot from Riyad Mahrez over the top.
City almost paid the price when John Stones lost possession and Mbappe shot over but City were calm, measured and always looked a more organised unit than their illustrious opponents.
They were put to the test when Mbappe put PSG ahead against the run of play but City then struck the perfect balance between chasing the game and keeping the door locked at the back.
Sterling's resurgence continued with another goal and an energetic display while Jesus answered the regular questions about City not signing a striker with a predatory finish.
City then closed out the game with few alarms to ensure they will go into the draw for the knockout stage as group winners, always an advantage, and with the opportunity to rest players in that final group game behind closed doors in Leipzig with their Champions League job done.
It was the sort of performance City have been producing in the Champions League in recent seasons, as PSG discovered in last season's semi-final - now the task is to somehow find a way to make those successful steps through the next phase and fill that gap in their trophy cabinet.
Pochettino's bad night in Manchester
The spotlight has been fixed firmly on Pochettino since his arrival in Manchester for this Champions League tie, coinciding with him becoming the heavy favourite to be appointed as the next permanent Manchester United manager.
He negotiated the inevitable pre-match questions with aplomb but will have returned to Paris disappointed after an average display from his side.
They can boast that brilliant attacking trio - but this seems to come at the expense of PSG resembling a Pochettino side, one full of urgency, intensity and pressing.
Messi showed some of the old touches while Mbappe demonstrated his blistering pace and eye for goal but Neymar was disappointing, too easily shrugged off the ball and missing a great chance to restore PSG's lead.
PSG seem like a mix-and-match group, in this tournament at least, with Pochettino struggling to achieve unity of purpose.
No-one could ever write off a team with the world-class talent PSG possess but they need to show more. There is no doubt Manchester United will be watching with interest to see if Pochettino can really put his stamp on this team, where he has to balance the need to accommodate three magnificent players with the desire to play his trademark style.
PSG will be a danger to anyone once the knockout games get under way but they were second best here and no-one can begrudge City their win.
Player of the match
Bernardo SilvaBernardo Silva
Manchester City
Avg
- Squad number20Player nameBernardo SilvaAverage rating
7.21
- Squad number9Player nameGabriel JesusAverage rating
7.03
- Squad number26Player nameMahrezAverage rating
6.99
- Squad number27Player nameJoão CanceloAverage rating
6.88
- Squad number7Player nameSterlingAverage rating
6.79
- Squad number8Player nameGündoganAverage rating
6.75
- Squad number16Player nameRodriAverage rating
6.69
- Squad number2Player nameWalkerAverage rating
6.67
- Squad number3Player nameRúben DiasAverage rating
6.66
- Squad number5Player nameStonesAverage rating
6.51
- Squad number31Player nameEdersonAverage rating
6.26
- Squad number11Player nameZinchenkoAverage rating
6.11
Paris Saint Germain
Avg
- Squad number30Player nameMessiAverage rating
6.40
- Squad number7Player nameMbappéAverage rating
6.32
- Squad number5Player nameMarquinhosAverage rating
5.93
- Squad number2Player nameHakimiAverage rating
5.87
- Squad number3Player nameKimpembeAverage rating
5.79
- Squad number1Player nameNavasAverage rating
5.73
- Squad number10Player nameNeymarAverage rating
5.56
- Squad number27Player nameGueyeAverage rating
5.48
- Squad number25Player nameNuno MendesAverage rating
5.47
- Squad number21Player nameHerreraAverage rating
5.44
- Squad number8Player nameParedesAverage rating
5.37
- Squad number15Player nameDanilo PereiraAverage rating
4.57
- Squad number11Player nameDi MaríaAverage rating
4.56
- Squad number24Player nameKehrerAverage rating
4.53
Line-ups
Man City
Formation 4-3-3
- 31Ederson
- 2Walker
- 5Stones
- 3Rúben Dias
- 27CanceloBooked at 80mins
- 8Gündogan
- 16RodriBooked at 55mins
- 11ZinchenkoSubstituted forGabriel Jesusat 54'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 26Mahrez
- 20Bernardo Silva
- 7Sterling
Substitutes
- 6Aké
- 9Gabriel Jesus
- 13Steffen
- 14Laporte
- 25Fernandinho
- 33Carson
- 80Palmer
- 87McAtee
PSG
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Navas
- 2Hakimi
- 5Marquinhos
- 3Kimpembe
- 25Nuno MendesSubstituted forKehrerat 67'minutes
- 21HerreraSubstituted forDaniloat 61'minutes
- 8Paredes
- 27GueyeSubstituted forDi Maríaat 67'minutes
- 30Messi
- 7Mbappé
- 10Neymar
Substitutes
- 4Ramos
- 6Verratti
- 9Icardi
- 11Di María
- 15Danilo
- 17Dagba
- 18Wijnaldum
- 22Diallo
- 24Kehrer
- 28Ebimbe
- 40Franchi
- 50G Donnarumma
- Referee:
- Daniele Orsato
- Attendance:
- 52,030
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away2
- Corners
- Home7
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away5
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Manchester City 2, Paris Saint Germain 1.
Booking
Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City).
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Neymar (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City).
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Leandro Paredes (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint Germain).
Post update
Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint Germain).
Booking
João Cancelo (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by João Cancelo (Manchester City).
Post update
Lionel Messi (Paris Saint Germain) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Leandro Paredes (Paris Saint Germain).
Goal!
Goal! Manchester City 2, Paris Saint Germain 1. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Bernardo Silva.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ángel Di María (Paris Saint Germain) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Lionel Messi.
Post update
Attempt missed. Neymar (Paris Saint Germain) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ángel Di María.
Post update
Offside, Manchester City. Bernardo Silva tries a through ball, but Gabriel Jesus is caught offside.
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Comments
Join the conversation
Wouldn't bet against another all english final again this year. City, Liverpool and Chelsea all looking strong and great to watch.
Well played City, took a while to find their feet but in the end got the job done. Well deserved group winners 👏
Why anyone would come on here and make cheap snide comments after a game like that is beyond me. Obviously not real football fans, just very sad little nobodies.
No Foden
No Grealish
No problem
Just imagine if any of the PSG's front 3 were playing in the City's team especially in that first half. The only weakness that to be honest is gonna cost us .
Well played the Citizens, Bernardo n Gundo amazing.
Will finish top of the group now, not wining the group can result in a tough one next round.
#PepGetaStriker
I think at this rate Chelsea, Man city and Liverpool all have a massive chance to win it, and no one will want to face them come next round... Man united however is another story
knock Neymar to the floor mind… and Messi was good.. 😂😂