An anomaly in Paris. PSG thrash Chelsea without even reaching 1 xG

The statistical outcome of the Champions League Round of 16 clash between PSG and Chelsea is nothing short of astonishing.

Details: Despite the final scoreline of 5-2 in favor of the Parisians, the xG (expected goals) stats reveal that the Londoners created far more dangerous opportunities, while PSG, remarkably, didn't even generate enough chances for a single expected goal.

• See also: Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland prediction, H2H and probable line-ups — March 12, 2026

Here's how leading analytics platforms assessed the quality of chances created:

• PSG: 0.98 xG – scored 5 goals
• Chelsea: 1.73 xG – scored 2 goals

PSG put on a finishing masterclass bordering on the miraculous: with an expected goals tally of less than one (0.98), the team somehow found the net five times against Chelsea. In essence, the Parisians scored from situations that barely registered as genuine scoring chances.

Reminder: PSG winger Bradley Barcola scored his first Champions League goal in more than a year.