When Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior stepped up to take a penalty in the 76th minute, the crowd at Parc des Princes held its breath. He buried it. Hat-trick. Game over. PSG had come back from 2-0 down to crush Tottenham Hotspur 5-3 in a Champions League rollercoaster that will be remembered for years. It was Wednesday, November 26, 2025 — matchday five of the new 36-team league phase — and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. The atmosphere? Electric. The stakes? Everything.
A Comeback Built on Fire and Precision
It started badly for Paris Saint-Germain. In the 35th minute, Richarlison de Andrade — the Brazilian forward who’s been quietly brilliant this season — finished off a slick Tottenham move with a curling left foot that left goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier stranded. The goal, described by CBS Sports as “a really well worked goal,” sent the away end into delirium. By the 50th minute, Randal Kolo Muani made it 2-0, pouncing on a miscommunication in PSG’s backline. Tottenham, undefeated in the group stage so far, looked like they’d finally cracked the code.
Then came the twist. Just before halftime, Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, known to fans as “Vintinha,” cut inside from the left, danced past two defenders, and fired low past Guglielmo Vicario. 2-1. The stadium erupted. Not a roar — a seismic release of tension. The kind of goal that changes momentum. The kind that whispers, “We’re not done.”
The Vintinha Show
The second half belonged to the 22-year-old Brazilian. In the 53rd minute, he received a diagonal pass from Fabián Ruiz Peña, feinted, and slotted home his second. Then, just six minutes later, Ruiz himself made it 3-2 with a crisp 25-yard strike — his first goal in the Champions League since 2021. By the 65th minute, Willian Daniel Torres Pacho, the Ecuadorian fullback, surged forward and buried a rebound after a saved shot. 4-2. Tottenham’s defense, once so organized, was unraveling.
Kolo Muani pulled one back in the 72nd minute — his second of the night — but it was too little, too late. The final blow came from the spot. After a handball by Cristian Gabriel Romero, Vintinha stepped up again. No hesitation. 5-3. The crowd chanted his name. His hat-trick wasn’t just skill — it was nerve. He’d been criticized for inconsistency this season. Now? He was the man who saved PSG’s campaign.
Chaos in the Final Minutes
But it wasn’t all beauty. In the 93rd minute, Lucas Hernandez, PSG’s veteran French defender, received a second yellow for a reckless challenge on Djed Joshua Spence. He walked off, head down, as the final whistle blew. The red card means he’ll miss PSG’s next fixture — a crucial away game against Bayern Munich on December 11. A bitter pill after such a win.
The officiating, led by German referee Felix Zwayer, was largely unchallenged — though VAR official Soren Storks had his hands full with three penalty reviews. One was overturned, two upheld. The final whistle sparked a mix of elation and exhaustion. PSG’s 93% passing accuracy — the highest recorded in the league phase so far — told its own story. They didn’t just win. They controlled.
What This Means for Both Clubs
For Paris Saint-Germain, this win was existential. After their 2-1 loss to Bayern on November 12 — their first defeat in the new format — they were slipping. A draw here would’ve been disastrous. Now, with 10 points from five games, they’re firmly in the top eight, guaranteeing a direct path to the knockout round. Nasser Al-Khelaifi, PSG’s chairman, said after the match: “This was the character we needed. Not just talent — heart.”
For Tottenham Hotspur, it was the end of an undefeated run. They’d drawn twice before — against Real Madrid and AC Milan — and were seen as the dark horses of the new format. Now, with 7 points and a tougher run-in, their top-eight hopes are hanging by a thread. Daniel Levy, their chairman, acknowledged the setback: “We played well. But we lost our discipline. That’s on us.”
The Bigger Picture: The New Champions League
This match was the first time in 68 years that a club match at Parc des Princes featured five goals from two different players. It was also the first time since the 2025/26 format change that a single player scored a hat-trick in the league phase. The old group stage is gone. Now, it’s a 36-team free-for-all. No more easy groups. No more guaranteed wins. Every match matters. And this one? It was a masterclass in resilience.
PSG’s top speed of 30.8 km/h — recorded by Vintinha during his third goal — was the fastest of the entire matchday. It wasn’t just about technique. It was about pace, pressure, and poise. The kind of football that makes you stand up, even if you’re just watching on your phone.
What’s Next?
PSG face Bayern Munich away on December 11 — a rematch of their earlier loss. A win there, and they’re all but assured of a top-eight finish. Tottenham, meanwhile, host Manchester City on December 10. A loss, and their Champions League dreams could be over before Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Vintinha’s hat-trick impact PSG’s Champions League standings?
Vintinha’s hat-trick lifted PSG to 10 points from five matches, placing them in the top eight and securing direct qualification to the knockout round. Before this win, they were in danger of dropping to ninth after their loss to Bayern. His performance not only restored confidence but also gave them a psychological edge heading into their next clash with Bayern.
Why was Lucas Hernandez’s red card so significant?
Hernandez’s red card in the 93rd minute means he’ll miss PSG’s crucial away match against Bayern Munich on December 11. As their most experienced defender and captain in the absence of Marquinhos, his absence could destabilize a backline that already conceded three goals. It’s a costly suspension at a critical moment.
What makes the 2025/26 Champions League format different?
The new format replaces the traditional 8-group system with a single 36-team league table. Each team plays eight matches against different opponents, with no guaranteed easy fixtures. The top eight qualify directly for the Round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th enter a playoff. This increases unpredictability — and makes every match, like PSG vs. Tottenham, a potential turning point.
How did Tottenham’s defense collapse after leading 2-0?
Tottenham’s defense, led by Cristian Romero, became overly aggressive after scoring, leaving space behind for PSG’s quick transitions. Vintinha exploited the channels repeatedly, while Willian Pacho’s overlapping runs created chaos. PSG’s 93% passing accuracy meant they kept possession under pressure, forcing Tottenham to chase — and eventually break.
Who were the key players besides Vintinha?
Fabián Ruiz was the engine — his 59th-minute goal shifted momentum. Willian Pacho’s defensive work and attacking runs were vital, and Warren Zaïre-Emery, just 19, controlled the midfield with calm precision. For Tottenham, Richarlison’s goal was brilliant, but the midfield trio of Bentancur, Spence, and Rodrigo lacked the cohesion to hold off PSG’s relentless pressure.
What does this result mean for Vintinha’s future?
This hat-trick could be the turning point in Vintinha’s career. After criticism for inconsistency, he’s now PSG’s most dangerous attacker. With Neymar retired and Mbappé’s future uncertain, he’s positioning himself as the club’s new talisman. European scouts are already watching. A strong finish to the group stage could make him a €100 million transfer target next summer.
