Ferran Torres scored a hat-trick as Paris St-Germain began their Champions League title defence with a convincing win over Slovan Bratislava.
Dembele opened the scoring after 17 minutes. He reacted quickest to slot home the rebound after Nuno Mendes struck the post with a powerful effort. Slovan were punished six minutes later after attempting to play out from the back. Dro Fernandez’s cross took a deflection before Dembele rose to head the ball beyond the goalkeeper and double PSG’s advantage.
Dembele then turned provider for Torres. The Ballon d’Or winner delivered a teasing cross into the six-yard box, allowing Torres to finish from close range. Torres doubled his tally two minutes into the second half. The forward made a clever run before receiving a lay-off from Maghnes Akliouche and firing a powerful finish into the net.
He completed his hat-trick when he turned Dembele’s corner home from inside a crowded penalty area.
Slovan, managed by former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, pulled one goal back through Suleiman Camara.
PSG restored their four-goal advantage late in the match through Fabian Ruiz. The midfielder drilled his effort into the far corner to complete an emphatic night for the hosts.
The result provides a major boost for PSG after a difficult start to their domestic campaign. They remain without a Ligue 1 win this season, having drawn twice and lost once. That run has left them sitting 13th in the French league.
