PSG thrash Liverpool as Atletico punish 10-man Barcelona in Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Liverpool in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash on Wednesday, while Atletico Madrid defeated a 10-man Barcelona by the same scoreline in another quarter-final encounter.

Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were on target as PSG dominated proceedings to take a strong advantage into next week’s second leg at Anfield.

Doue opened the scoring in the 11th minute when his effort deflected off Ryan Gravenberch and looped past goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Kvaratskhelia later doubled the lead in the 65th minute after rounding the goalkeeper in a match PSG controlled from start to finish.

The reigning champions could have extended their lead further but saw a second-half penalty overturned following a VAR review. Despite the missed opportunity, PSG maintained their dominance over a Liverpool side that struggled despite deploying three centre-backs.

The defeat marked Liverpool’s second heavy setback in five days, following a 4-0 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup.

The Merseyside club has now managed just one win in six matches across all competitions and recorded its 16th defeat in a challenging season.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid secured a crucial 2-0 away win over Barcelona at Camp Nou.

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The hosts had started strongly, but the game shifted after defender Pau Cubarsi was sent off for fouling Giuliano Simeone, who was through on goal.

Julian Alvarez converted the resulting free-kick to give Atletico the lead, before Alexander Sorloth added a second with 20 minutes remaining.

The victory gives coach Diego Simeone’s side a strong chance of reaching the semi-finals. Atletico, who have never won the Champions League, previously finished runners-up in 2014 and 2016, losing both finals to Real Madrid.

Barcelona, who last won the competition in 2015, now face a daunting task in the return leg in Madrid next Tuesday.

The defeat also ended their unbeaten home run since Camp Nou reopened in November 2025 and marked Atletico’s first win at the stadium since 2006.