UEFA Champions League, Matchday 4, 03/11/2026

PSG humiliated Villarreal in record proportions to comfort their status as the UEFA Champions League opening phase leaders. Les Parisiens have won their last ten games in all competitions.

The Match

Back-to-back UEFA Champions League winners PSG headed to Spain to carry on their brilliant form in Europe’s premier club competition after prestigious 4-2 wins against both Manchester City and FC Barcelona. Les Parisiens wasted no time in displaying their goalscoring form.

PSG’s first corner kick was met by Willian Pacho, whose touch allowed João Neves a clean first-time finish in Peter Gulacsi’s top corner. The Hungarian goalkeeper’s issues would deepen in giving the ball straight to Maghnes Akliouche, who set up Désiré Doué for the finish. A minute later, Villarreal were too easily dispossessed again as Neves’ volley kindly fell for Senny Mayulu to put the game out of sight. Villarreal didn’t even learnt from their mistakes as the visitors force another deep turnover which allowed Fabian Ruiz a clean low shot past Gulacsi.

The Champions League favourites’s lead could also have been greater had they kept their composure in the final third, unless it was about showing mercy? As for Villarreal, they only tried to stop shipping more goals as their few timid forays forward were easily dealt with. PSG continued to spot gaping holes in Villarreal’s defense in the second half. From the half-way line, Vitinha spotted Ruiz’s run, the 2026 World Cup winner made a mockery of Renato Veiga before clinching his brace.

PSG slowed the game’s tempo at their ease, given that Villarreal downed tools long ago. The weakness of the opposition and PSG’s lead offered Luis Enrique the chance to give his key players a breather as youngsters Quentin Ndjantou and David Boly entered the fray. The 17-year-old made his introduction to the Champions League in scoring two minutes into his debut with a deflected shot.

PSG carried on their 100% record in this season’s Champions League. They have now won their last ten goals in all competitions. In Europe, they will take some beating.

PSG player ratings

Matvey Safonov – 6

Lucas Hernandez – 6

Willian Pacho – 6

Illia Zabarnyi – 6

Achraf Hakimi – 7

Fabian Ruiz – 8

The Spaniard recovered an impressive amount of balls and was a vital cog in Luis Enrique’s trademark press. Scored a classy brace too. He has scored as many UCL goals this season as Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.

Vitinha – 8

Ever the architect for PSG’s suffocating press that hurt Villarreal so badly. The Portuguese didn’t register a goal contribution in the first half, but he didn’t even need to given his impressive workrate. Assisted Fabian Ruiz for PSG’s fifth. A true leader’s performance.

João Neves – 7

Désiré Doué – 7

The France international winger found the back of the net for the third successive Champions League game. Although he’s still guilty of losing many balls, he remained a nuisance on a left wing that he’s poised to call home due to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s ACL tear.

Senny Mayulu – 7

In the absence of Ousmane Dembélé, the youngster was favoured over Ferran Torres to lead PSG’s line. He repaid Luis Enrique’s faith in him by being heavily involved in PSG’s second goal before making it 3-0 with a confident finish.