Barcola saved PSG from an anonymous goalkeeper to secure top spot

It was December 6, 2024, when Paris Saint-Germain travelled to face Auxerre. As in every domestic fixture, PSG arrived as overwhelming favourites. Yet instead of a routine three points and post-match smiles, there were frowns. The reason: PSG failed to break down the stubborn hosts, and the standout figure of the night was Donovan Leon. A virtual unknown between the posts, he tormented the Parisian attackers and finished the match with 11 saves. For his outstanding display, L’Equipe awarded him a perfect 10.

Just over a year later, the same stadium, the same protagonists, and the same goalkeeper — and almost the same outcome. Donovan Leon, the French Guiana shot-stopper, frustrated Goncalo Ramos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and the rest for 80 minutes.

He turned into a Mortal Kombat-style Shiva, stopping everything that came his way. Everything pointed toward another perfect 10 from L’Equipe, until Bradley Barcola stepped in as the saviour (1–0).

In the 79th minute, the winger latched onto a brilliant pass from Ousmane Dembele and delicately lifted the ball over the Auxerre keeper, sparking huge celebrations among the visiting players. They celebrated as if it were a Champions League knockout match. Leon forced them into that reaction, putting them through sheer torment.

He had already been performing miracles in the first half, repeatedly denying PSG’s forwards. First, he reacted instinctively to keep out Ramos’s effort, then soon after produced a point-blank save to deny Ibrahima Mbaye. He ended the opening 45 minutes with five saves to his name.

As time went on, frustration grew among the visitors — they simply had no answer for Auxerre’s inspired goalkeeper. Encouraged by Leon’s heroics, the hosts grew bolder and even tried to trouble an otherwise idle Lucas Chevalier. Who knows how things might have unfolded had Oussama El Azzouzi converted Auxerre’s best chance midway through the second half, but his effort drifted wide.

Just ten minutes later, PSG finally took the lead. Not even the seemingly invincible Léon could stop the moment of individual brilliance from Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola. It was too much even for such a masterful performance from the former Brest goalkeeper.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 19

Friday

Auxerre - PSG 0-1 (0-0)

/Barcola 79/

Saturday

19.00: (1.83) Rennes (3.70) Lorient (4.80)

21.00: (3.50) Le Havre (3.75) Monaco (2.10)

23.05: (2.10) Olympique Marseille (3.60) Lens (3.60)

Sunday

17.00: (3.05) Nantes (3.50) Nice (2.45)

19.15: (2.85) Brest (3.00) Toulouse (2.75)

19.15: (4.75) Metz (3.80) Olympique Lyon (1.73)

19.15: (1.87) Paris (3.60) Angers (4.60)

22.45: (2.05) Lille (3.60) Strasbourg (3.90)

***odds are subject to change***