PSG coach Enrique hails 'sensational' Champions League win at Villarreal

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique on Wednesday hailed his team's performance as sensational after they blazed past Villarreal 6-0 to maintain their perfect start to the defence of their Champions League title.

Issued on: 04/11/2026 - 14:18

France midfielder Maghnes Akliouche set up goals for Désiré Doué and Fabian Ruiz as PSG scored four goals in eight minutes in the first-half at the Estadio de la Ceramica in Villarreal.

After the pause, Ruiz added PSG's fifth and 17-year-old David Boly, making his Champions League debut, completed the rout in the 78th minute.

"These are tricky games where, if you get off to a difficult start and concede a few goals, the match can take a different turn," said Enrique following PSG's biggest win away from home in the competition.

"But we started the game brilliantly. We pressed very well, won the ball back. I’m very pleased with the match I saw. It was a sensational match."

Revamped Champions League format

In 2024, organisers of the competition revamped the Champions League format to a 36-team division in which each side plays four games at home and also away.

The top eight sides qualify automatically for the last 16 knockout stages while the teams finishing ninth to 24th take part in a two-game play-off for the other eight berths.

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PSG went through the play-offs during both of their surges to the Champions League trophy in 2025 and 2026.

After four games in the 2026/2027 tournament, PSG are top of the table with 12 points from their four games.

"We’re doing better than in recent years," beamed Enrique. "Everyone knows how the last few seasons ended in the Champions League despite some tough results at the start of the competition.

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"We need to make the most of this match, strive to improve and we must stay focused – as always.”

Elsewhere in the competition on Tuesday night, the French Ligue 1 club Lille drew 0-0 at Bodoe/Glimt in Norway.

In Spain, the Brazil international Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona beat Aston Villa 3-0 and there were wins too for Inter Milan and Bayern Munich.

Two goals and two yellow cards

Manchester United ended a nine-game winless run in all competitions with a stirring comeback against Roma at Old Trafford.

Trailing 2-0 at half-time, Michael Carrick's men were handed a lifeline when Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty in the 58th minute.

Fernandes set up Matheus Cunha for the equaliser in the 83rd minute and Cunha hit the winner in the 87th minute before getting sent off for two yellow cards in four minutes.

(with newswires)

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