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PSG’s Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves Shine in 6-0 Champions League Win Over Villarreal

Paris Saint-Germain kept their flawless Champions League run alive by dismantling Villarreal 6-0 at the Estadio de la Ceramica. The visitors set the tone early, scoring four goals within the first 20 minutes and dominating all key stats throughout the match.

PSG’s quick start gave them a commanding 4-0 lead by the 17th minute, exploiting Villarreal’s defensive mistakes. They held 71% possession and posted an expected goals (xG) of 2.69 versus Villarreal's 0.66. The second half saw Fabian Ruiz net his second goal shortly after kickoff, while Denis Boly sealed the win with a late goal in the 78th minute. PSG fired 12 shots on target from 22 attempts, and their defense limited Villarreal to just two shots on target. This result places PSG atop the group with an impressive +15 goal difference.

Goalkeeper and Defensive Line

  • Matvey Safonov - 7/10: Faced few challenges due to PSG’s control, making two saves and aiding in distribution with 738 accurate passes.
  • Achraf Hakimi - 8/10: Serving as captain, he was an attacking force down the right flank until his substitution in the 74th minute, contributing to a defense that allowed only two shots on target and forcing 19 free kicks.
  • Lucas Hernandez - 7/10: A reliable presence on the left, rarely troubled and focused on keeping defensive stability, helping clear the ball 45 times.
  • Willian Pacho - 8/10: Early vision led to Joao Neves’ opening goal assist; physically dominant before being rested late in the game.
  • Illia Zabarnyi - 7/10: Formed a solid partnership with Pacho, suppressing counterattacks and maintaining high passing accuracy.

Midfield Performers

  • Fabian Ruiz - 9/10: A standout midfielder who scored twice, first making it 4-0 in the 17th minute and then doubling the tally early in the second half with help from Vitinha.
  • Vitinha - 8/10: Controlled the rhythm of the match, assisting Ruiz’s second goal and orchestrating the midfield until his 74th-minute substitution.
  • Joao Neves - 9/10: Opened scoring in the 9th minute and contributed two assists later, finishing with three direct goal involvements.

Attack Contributions

  • Senny Mayulu - 8/10: Scored PSG’s third goal in the 13th minute, expertly finding space between the lines before making way for Ferran Torres at 60 minutes.
  • Desire Doue - 8/10: Netted the second goal in the 12th minute and troubled Villarreal’s defense with his pace until substituted in the 74th minute.
  • Maghnes Akliouche - 9/10: Key architect of the first-half dominance with two assists before leaving the pitch at 60 minutes.

Substitutes and Management

  • Malo Godts - 6/10: Came on for Akliouche, maintained width and helped close out the game without overexertion.
  • Ferran Torres - 6/10: Replaced Mayulu, injected energy but did not record a goal or assist.
  • Denis Boly - 7/10: Entered in the 74th minute and scored the final goal four minutes later.
  • Lucas Beraldo - 6/10: Subbed in for Hakimi to reinforce defense and preserve the clean sheet.
  • Quentin Ndjantou - 6/10: Introduced late to add effort during the closing stages.
  • Luis Enrique - 9/10: His tactical plan exploited Villarreal’s formation perfectly, with smart lineup choices and substitutions preserving team strength.

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