Paris Saint-Germain made a strong statement on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, by dominating Chelsea (5-2) at the Parc des Princes during the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16. In a match filled with chances and twists, the Parisians have taken a significant step towards qualification ahead of the return leg in England. Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, Vitinha, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who scored twice, propelled the capital club to this spectacular victory.
Starting on the right flank, Achraf Hakimi delivered a serious and focused performance, with constant activity in both phases of play. Very active offensively, the Moroccan international made numerous runs and calls to provide solutions for his teammates. His contribution was ultimately rewarded in stoppage time when he assisted Kvaratskhelia on the fifth Parisian goal, sealing the victory for his side.
Beyond this assist, Hakimi made an impact with his dribbling ability and capacity to stretch the opposing block. Several dangerous sequences arose from his forward runs, as seen in the second Parisian goal, where his run helped disorganize the London defense and facilitated the action concluded by Ousmane Dembélé. The Moroccan full-back thus maintained a significant influence on the tempo of the match for the Parisians.
On a night when PSG showcased its offensive prowess, Achraf Hakimi confirmed that he remains a central figure in the Parisian system. His return to form coincides with that of his team, which is entering a decisive phase of the season. Less in the spotlight than the goal scorers, the Moroccan nonetheless brought his precision, work rate, and experience to a major European encounter. In the end, Paris emerged strengthened from this first leg, and Hakimi can also take satisfaction from a solid performance as his team accelerates in the race for its major spring objectives.
