PSG crush Slovan 6-1 to begin Champions League title defence

Paris Saint-Germain made a commanding start to their Champions League title defence, crushing Slovan Bratislava 6-1 at the Parc des Princes after a difficult opening to their Ligue 1 campaign.

PSG dominated from the outset, controlling 72 percent possession and registering 14 shots on target. Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring in the 16th minute after Nuno Mendes’ effort rebounded off the crossbar, before heading in his second seven minutes later.

Ferran Torres extended the lead in the 31st minute, scoring his first Champions League goal for PSG since joining from Barcelona. The Spanish forward struck again early in the second half from a cutback by Maghnes Akliouche before completing his hat-trick in the 57th minute with a spectacular finish from a Dembele corner.

The treble was Torres’ first in the Champions League and came after he had also scored in PSG’s opening match of the season.

Slovan Bratislava pulled one back through Suleiman Kamara in the 64th minute, but PSG quickly restored their dominance. Fabian Ruiz added a sixth goal in the 88th minute to complete a resounding victory.

The result offered Luis Enrique’s side a strong response after a sluggish domestic start, with PSG having managed two draws and a defeat in their first three league matches. The reigning champions have now sent an emphatic early warning to their European rivals.