Champions League: Dembélé takes Brest apart to show PSG are contenders

Paris Saint-Germain seized control of their Champions League knockout phase playoff with a commanding 3-0 first-leg win at Brest on Tuesday, driven by two goals from Ousmane Dembélé.

The match, which marked only the second time two French sides had faced each other in Champions League history, was dominated by a clinical PSG despite Brest also having their chances.

PSG broke the deadlock after 21 minutes, with Vitinha converting a penalty after Pierre Lees-Melou’s handball. The visitors doubled their lead when Dembélé cut inside from the right flank and beat the keeper at his near post with a low strike, scoring in his eighth consecutive match for PSG.

In the 66th minute, Dembélé grabbed his second, latching on to a loose ball in the box before sending a shot past Brest keeper Marco Bizot.

The result leaves Brest with a mountain to climb in the return leg at the Parc des Princes next Wednesday.

Juventus are at home to PSV, Sporting host Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City are up against Real Madrid in Tuesday night’s other Champions League playoff ties.