Former Premier League goalkeeper gives PSG late 1-0 win over Girona in Champions League opener

An embarrassing blunder in the closing stages gave PSG a 1-0 home win over Champions League debutants Girona on Wednesday evening.

The visiting goalkeeper, Paulo Gazzaniga, let a cross from Nuno Mendes from the left slide through his legs and into the net in the final minute of normal time.

After sustained pressure from PSG, Mendes’ low ball slipped through the hands of Gazzaniga and the French giants took all three points.

Gazzaniga, who played for Southampton, Tottenham and Fulham, fell to his knees with his head in his hands after the fatal foul.

It was a one-sided match, with PSG dominating the attack and scoring 26 goals in total, compared to three for Girona.

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Goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga let a cross from Nuno Mendes from the left slip through his legs

Girona’s defenders could only watch as the ball ended up in the net in the 90th minute

PSG manager Luis Enrique admitted he did not enjoy Wednesday’s thrilling Champions League win over Girona.

“I think we were better, but Girona played us in circles and made us dizzy. At half-time we said that if we didn’t press we would suffer. We had to win and that was very difficult,” Luis Enrique told Movistar Plus.

“It was very difficult. I told (Girona manager) Michel that this was worse than giving birth, with all due respect.”

Girona’s defence effectively neutralised PSG’s attack in the first half, leading to growing frustration for the home side, who struggled to contain their opponents.

Gazzaniga looked distraught after his mistake gave the home side the three points in Paris

Mendes was elated after helping his team make the breakthrough in the final stages

PSG’s Marco Asensio almost broke the deadlock in the first half with a low shot into the bottom corner, but the effort narrowly missed the post.

Just before half-time, Asensio appeared to pick up an injury, forcing manager Luis Enrique to replace him with Randal Kolo Muani.

After the break, PSG continued the pressure. Ousmane Dembele made a free run from the halfway line, but Ladislav Krejci was able to defend the score in Girona’s favor with a feat of genius.

Shortly after the hour mark, Dembele came close again, escaping his marker and firing towards the top corner, but the ball bounced back off the woodwork.

Gazzaniga spent much of his career in England, playing for Southampton, Spurs and Fulham

Girona, who had seemed content with a draw, began to lose time and were booed by the crowd at the Parc des Princes when PSG launched an attack in the closing stages.

Kolo Muani narrowly missed with a shot and shortly afterwards Achraf Hakimi’s close-range half-volley was saved by Gazzaniga’s legs, but the keeper’s late mistake ultimately decided the match.