Brilliant Dembele Scores Twice as PSG Overcome Toulouse to Extend Ligue 1 Advantage

With a UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-final showdown against Liverpool looming, Luis Enrique chose to rest key players such as Marquinhos, Vitinha, and Nuno Mendes for the match against a Toulouse squad comfortably positioned mid-table.

Nevertheless, several prominent players were on display, including Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, whose long-range curling effort was expertly saved by Guillaume Restes in the early moments of the match. It was Dembele, however, who eventually broke the stalemate.

Mark McKenzie inadvertently redirected Achraf Hakimi’s cross into the path of the 2025 Ballon d’Or recipient, who unleashed a spectacular left-foot half-volley past Restes.

The hosts were expected to build on this momentum, but just four minutes later, Les Violets equalised through Rasmus Nicolaisen.

It was a glaring mistake from PSG’s substitute goalkeeper, Matvey Safonov, who misjudged Cristian Casseres’ corner, allowing Nicolaisen to head home with precision into the top corner.

This thrilling first half took another twist when Dembele scored his 10th Ligue 1 goal of the season, poking in a close-range effort after Kvaratskhelia helped on Lee Kang-In’s corner kick.

After the break, PSG displayed little urgency in their hunt for a third goal, and Dembele had one disallowed for offside after a simple tap-in at the far post.

As the match progressed, Enrique’s men began to raise their intensity, with substitute Joao Neves shooting wide following a clever play involving Desire Doue and Kvaratskhelia.

Willian Pacho and Illia Zabarnyi were then thwarted at close range by Restes, before Kvaratskhelia attempted a long-range shot that clipped the net’s roof. Meanwhile, Toulouse struggled to create meaningful chances, and another mistake from Safonov nearly gifted Aron Dønnum an opportunity, although he ultimately fired wide.

There was still time for PSG to add a third deep into stoppage time when Goncalo Ramos showcased his finesse, rounding the goalkeeper and firing a fine right-foot shot past Restes.

Focus now shifts to their UCL title defence as Arne Slot’s team travels to the French capital on Wednesday, while Toulouse’s campaign appears to be fizzling out after they failed to secure a third consecutive Ligue 1 win for the first time since November 2024.

For the match summary, click here.