Manchester City’s hosting of PSG on Wednesday evening promised much.

City had won eight on the bounce across all comps under new manager Enzo Maresca while the back-to-back European champions had rested many of their stars ahead of the game in preparation for it. A thrilling spectacle potentially awaited, featuring numerous 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees, in peak form.

Thankfully, for the neutrals who tuned in – and of course the sixty thousand inside a raucous Etihad – a festival of football is exactly what was served up, with the game’s Ballon d’Or contingent indeed showing up, and coming good.

Before we get to that, however, a word on the match itself, that produced a rare high volume of statistics.

All told, there were 42 shots undertaken by both team’s combined, with 19 of them on target. In addition to the six goals, the woodwork was struck on three occasions and the keepers made six saves apiece.

There was astonishingly a big chance created every nine minutes.

Moreover, in addition to the frenetic and fantastic football on display this was a contest where each side essentially took it in turns, per half, to exhibit the very best of their capabilities.

Unfortunately for City, it was PSG who went first, accruing an unsurmountable three-goal advantage that put the result beyond all doubt by half-time.

A stirring attempt at a comeback in the second period by Maresca’s men prompted a deluge of opportunities, the match ultimately ending 4-2 to the visitors.

Biggest stars have the biggest impact

For the opening half-an-hour, PSG were simply untouchable, demonstrating precisely why and how they have successfully triumphed in the Champions League twice-over.

Their first was an excellent team goal, constructed from the back and eventually finished with aplomb by Désiré Doué. Their second soon after was the result of clever interlinking between Doué and the reigning Ballon d’Or champion Ousmane Dembele.

Nominated again this year, Dembele began and ended the move, heading in at the far post.

With City browbeaten and PSG very much in the ascendancy, further chances materialised, not least when another of their 2026 Ballor d’Or nominees, Achraf Hakimi, hit the post after ghosting into the box.

If that frustrated the Moroccan, no matter, because in the very next attacking move, Vitinha converted his team’s third of the night. The Portuguese midfielder is one of nine PSG stars nominated for the men’s award this year.

As noted above, a sea change occurred after the break, with City gaining the upper hand and accumulating chances.

Two of these were lethally put away by Erling Haaland who in 2026 has been Ballon d’Or nominated for the sixth consecutive year.

His second strike was his 61st in 60 Champions League outings and made him Manchester City’s all-time leading goalscorer in the competition.