Dembélé Finds His Spark Again As PSG Begin Champions League Title Defence With 6-1 Win

Ousmane Dembélé delivered the response Paris Saint-Germain needed as the Ballon d'Or winner returned to form with two goals and two assists in a commanding 6-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava in their Champions League opener.

Dembélé scored PSG's first two goals of the new European campaign and then turned provider, setting up new signing Ferran Torres twice as the Spanish forward completed a hat-trick. Torres has now scored five goals since joining PSG from Barcelona in the offseason.

The performance was particularly significant for Dembélé, who had endured a difficult start to the domestic season after a shortened break following France's run to the World Cup semifinals. He was substituted at halftime against Rennes, left out against Lille and later appeared as a substitute in PSG's 2-1 defeat to Monaco.

“I needed to come back physically too,” Dembélé said. “Because after the World Cup I didn't have much holiday.”

He needed just 17 minutes to make his mark against Slovan. After Nuno Mendes' shot struck the post, Dembélé reacted quickest to steer the rebound into the net. Six minutes later, he doubled the advantage with a header from Dro Fernandez's cross.

Dembélé then set up Torres before the interval and nearly completed a hat-trick of his own, only to see a close-range effort crash against the crossbar.

PSG continued their dominance after the break. Torres produced a superb finish for his second before guiding in Dembélé's corner to complete his hat-trick in the 57th minute. Suleiman Camara pulled one back for Slovan, but Fabián Ruiz restored PSG's five-goal advantage late on.

PSG finished with 35 shots, including 13 on target, underlining the gulf between the sides.

Coach Luis Enrique praised Dembélé's creativity and pressing, while Slovan boss Yaya Touré admitted the difference between the teams was enormous.

The victory also ended a worrying run for PSG, who had gone four matches without a win and lost the French Super Cup to Lens.

With Dembélé back among the goals and Torres quickly finding his feet, PSG have made an emphatic statement at the start of their Champions League title defence.