Afterwards, they carried on running. They had run for two hours, pushing themselves to the limit, but at the moment of triumph, the Paris Saint-Germain players somehow found a few more yards in them. They ran toward their fans, spun in wild circles, and tore across the Anfield grass as if it were their own.
One man did not run. As Désiré Doué’s penalty hit the net, Vitinha simply crumpled, his legs finally giving way. Eventually, with his teammates still celebrating, he hauled himself up and was the first to commiserate with Liverpool’s beaten players. Then, as the crowd noise subsided, he stood alone in the center circle, claiming the turf he had spent the night battling for.
This was an incredible game of football, capping off an enthralling two-legged tie that showcased both teams at their best. While Liverpool managed to restrict their opponents to just one goal over 210 minutes, Paris Saint-Germain’s overall dominance and precision ensured their place in the next round.
Liverpool, under Arne Slot, have been exceptional in recent months, but here they met their match in the unlikeliest of ways. For those unfamiliar with Luis Enrique’s work, this has been a remarkable transformation backed by significant investment, but also a clear purpose, a shift in culture, and sheer determination.
Many coaches have tried and failed to mold this team into a unit, but here, in adversity, they stuck together, fought together, and thought together. This was a team performance that thrived on collective effort rather than individual brilliance.
Vitinha, far from the stereotypical action hero, epitomized this transformation. He played the final hour with a cut above his eyebrow, yet his influence never wavered. Covering every blade of grass, he dictated the rhythm without appearing to exert himself. His presence was almost invisible yet omnipresent the guiding hand behind PSG’s control of the game.
Luis Enrique has called him “the perfect midfielder,” not just for his technical skills but for his ability to disrupt the opposition’s game. He forces opponents into uncomfortable decisions, drawing them in before exploiting the space they vacate. His penalty was a reflection of this, calmly rolling the ball past Alisson’s outstretched arm. Over the match, he completed 103 passes, while João Neves added another 85, drawing comparisons to some of the game’s finest midfielders.
There were other outstanding performances in the PSG lineup. Nuno Mendes was brilliant at left-back, neutralizing Mohamed Salah and providing the crucial pass in the buildup to the goal. Gianluigi Donnarumma made vital saves, while Achraf Hakimi’s relentless energy saw him still sprinting in extra time.
Luck played its part, as it often does in games of this magnitude. The referee’s calls, the inside of the post, and last-ditch clearances all contributed to PSG’s survival against Liverpool’s late siege. Penalties, always unpredictable, had their own drama especially with Darwin Núñez stepping up, leaving many unsure of his approach.
But PSG had earned their moments of fortune. This was not the fragile team of the past, prone to crumbling under pressure. Instead, they displayed a newfound resilience, overcoming setbacks and holding their nerve. In this and many other ways, Luis Enrique is reshaping the very fabric of the club, forging a team defined by unity, discipline, and belief
