PSG stumble in Bilbao and drop vital points in the race for the top eight

Paris Saint-Germain failed to seize a crucial opportunity in the sixth round of the UEFA Champions League group stage, finishing goalless against a resilient Athletic Bilbao side at the iconic San Mamés.
Fresh off a thrilling 5–3 victory over Tottenham in Paris, PSG travelled to Bilbao looking to build momentum. Instead, they were immediately met with intense, high-pressing pressure from the hosts, as Athletic set the tone with aggressive, front-foot football.
Gradually, however, the visitors settled and took control. Using his blistering pace, Bradley Barcola repeatedly stretched the Basque defence, and after one of his dangerous low crosses, Fabian Ruiz failed to convert from a promising position. Just before halftime, goalkeeper Unai Simón bailed out the home side once again with a sharp save to deny Senny Mayulu.
The pattern remained unchanged after the break. PSG tightened their grip on possession and created clearer chances, yet Simón continued to stand tall. He denied Mayulu again in the 49th minute and then reacted superbly to stop a powerful effort from rising star Warren Zaïre-Emery.
And when Simón was finally beaten, luck — and his teammates — came to the rescue. First, the crossbar kept out a curling attempt from Barcola. Then, in the 87th minute, after a deflected strike from Fabian Ruiz, Simón made the initial stop, and defender Yuri Berchiche dramatically cleared the ball off the line to preserve the draw.
2025-26 UEFA Champions League
Athletic Bilbao - PSG 0:0
Athletic Bilbao: Simón U.; Vivian; Areso (Gorosabel, 73); Yuri Berchiche; Boiro; Sancet (Hierro, 73); Ruiz I. (Vesga, 78); Jauregizar (Rego A., 73); Alex Berenguer; Nico Williams; Guruzeta (Etxebarria U., 62)
Substitution: Etxebarria U. (from 62); Gorosabel (from 73); Rego A. (from 73); Hierro (from 73); Vesga (from 78)
Bench: Padilla; Lekue I.; Nico Serrano; Sanchez S.; Inaki Williams
Yellow Cards: Jauregizar 28; Alex Berenguer 49; Etxebarria U. 93
PSG: Safonov M.; Marquinhos (Zabarnyi, 46); Mendes N.; Vitinha F.; Kvaratskhelia; Fabian Ruiz; Mayulu (Doue D., 62); Zaire-Emery; Pacho; Neves J. P.; Barcola B. (Ramos G., 78)
Substitution: Zabarnyi (from 46); Doue D. (from 62); Ramos G. (from 78)
Bench: Marin R.; Lee Kang-in; Ndjantou; Mbaye
Yellow Cards: Zaire-Emery 30
