Dembélé, Torres Star as PSG Score 6 to Launch UCL Defense

Ousmane Dembélé scored twice in the first 23 minutes as PSG defeated Slovan Bratislava 6-1 on Wednesday.

Paris Saint-Germain opened their Champions League title defense with a 6-1 home victory against Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday. Ousmane Dembélé scored his first two goals of the season in the 17th and 23rd minutes, while new signing Ferran Torres recorded a hat trick. The result ended a four-game winless streak for the titleholders, who had previously lost the French Super Cup to Lens.

Dembélé opened the scoring by converting a rebound after a Nuno Mendes shot struck the post. Six minutes later, he headed in a cross from 18-year-old midfielder Dro Fernández. Dembélé also provided the assist for Torres’ first goal before being substituted after 60 minutes of play. In total, PSG recorded 35 shots on goal with 13 on target during the contest.

Torres scored his second goal shortly after halftime, curling a shot from the edge of the penalty area following a pass from Maghnes Akliouche. He completed his hat trick in the 57th minute by guiding in a Dembélé corner. The three goals brought Torres' total to five since his offseason move from Barcelona. Suleiman Camara scored the lone goal for Slovan Bratislava before a late error by the visitors' defense allowed Fabián Ruiz to net PSG’s sixth.

Coach Luis Enrique started Akliouche in place of Bradley Barcola, who recently joined Liverpool. While Khvicha Kvaratskhelia remained on the bench, the French side utilized the match to integrate new personnel following the departures of Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos to AC Milan. Slovan coach Yaya Touré noted that Dembélé’s performance forced his defense to stretch, creating space throughout the pitch.