Defending Ligue 1 Champions PSG beat Real Sociedad at Home in the UCL Clash

Ligue 1 defending Champions, PSG appeared tough to beat the visitors Real Sociedad with a score of 2-0 on Wednesday (14 Feb 2024). Luis Enrique's squad proved their quality and efficiency in completing opportunities during the clash against the Spanish side at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of the last 16 of the 2023/2024 Champions League. This match was predicted to be tight, even though Paris Saint Germain was slightly favoured being the Hosts.

The 7th-placed La Liga side, El Real deserved to be appreciated because they performed very well, especially in the first half, but their finishing was poor and they failed to win the match against one of the best clubs in Europe. The eleven-time French League winners PSG also showed their class by scoring two goals in the second half through Kylian Mbappe (58') and Bradley Barcola (70'). This 2-0 victory will be valuable capital for PSG when they visit Anoeta Sports Complex, Spain on 06 March 2024 in the second leg of the 2023/2024 Champions League last 16 duels.

The visitors made a surprise at the start of the match soon after two minutes of the game, Silva's hard shot made the PSG defense line stop, but the ball was still slightly wide. In the 7th minute, PSG attacked back and Mbappe got his first real opportunity in the match when he entered the penalty box and fired a low shot, but it was still stopped by the Sociedad's goalkeeper.

In the 16th minute, Sociedad almost opened the scoring during the free kick, but the PSG defenders were bamboozled by the opponent's clever movements. Silva had a chance to shoot, but the ball still bounced. PSG did dominate possession of the ball, but La Real was much more dangerous when they had the opportunity to attack. In the 22nd minute, Kubo's movement was completed by Silva, but again the ball went wide. Just before halftime, Sociedad's attempt hit the post and sighed relief to the Hosts. Merino found shooting space outside the penalty box, the ball shot hard and it again hit the post. PSG resumed the match again and seemed to be trying to increase their performance level. Domination in the first half did not indicate that PSG was more dangerous. In the 58th minute, the moment arrived for the Hosts after they took the corner kick as Dembele's pass was deflected by Marquinhos' header. The ball was then hit by Mbappe's hard shot from close range and he gave a 1-0 lead to the Hosts.

Just twelve minutes after the first goal in the 70th minute of the game, With a quick counterattack, Ruiz spread the ball wide for Barcola who continued by running through the penalty box and firing a hard shot and extended the lead to 2-0. The Spanish side continued to try to catch up in the final 10 minutes of the match as they created severely good movement on the ball, including Pacheco's shot which still went over in the 89th minute but all went in vain for the Visitors and they lost the match 0-2.