Ferran Torres scored a hat-trick on his Paris Saint-Germain Champions League debut as the holders began their title defence with a 6-1 demolition of Slovan Bratislava at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
Ousmane Dembélé also starred for PSG, scoring twice and providing an assist as Luis Enrique’s side quickly established their superiority.
The victory marked an emphatic start to PSG’s bid to win the Champions League for a third consecutive season.
Only Real Madrid have previously achieved that feat in the modern Champions League era, winning the competition three times in a row between 2016 and 2018.
PSG had entered the match under some pressure following a difficult start to their Ligue 1 campaign, having failed to win their opening three league matches.
But there was little evidence of their domestic struggles against Slovan.
The French champions dominated from the opening stages and nearly went ahead in the third minute when Dro Fernández forced a save from goalkeeper Dominik Takáč.
Nuno Mendes then struck the post with a powerful effort from outside the area in the 17th minute, with Dembélé reacting quickest to the rebound to give PSG the lead.
Dembélé doubled the advantage six minutes later when he headed in after a deflected cross from Dro Fernández.
The Ballon d’Or winner then turned provider for Torres, who finished clinically in the 32nd minute to make it 3-0.
Torres, a close-season signing from Barcelona, added his second two minutes after the restart.
The Spain international collected the ball on the edge of the area and fired into the net after a strong attacking run from new signing Maghnes Akliouche.
He completed his hat-trick before the hour mark, guiding a Dembélé corner into the net to put PSG 5-0 ahead.
Dembélé came close to adding a third goal of his own, but Takáč made a fine save to divert his effort onto the underside of the bar.
Slovan eventually found a response through Gambian winger Suleiman Camara, who produced a fine individual finish to reduce the deficit.
The consolation goal did little to change the outcome as PSG continued to control the game.
Fabian Ruiz, another of Spain’s World Cup stars, completed the scoring late in the second half after reacting quickest to a loose ball.
The result was exactly the response PSG wanted after their disappointing domestic start.
Luis Enrique’s side now face a tougher test of their European credentials as the league phase progresses, with Manchester City and Barcelona among the major opponents ahead.
For Slovan, the night offered a sharp reminder of the gap between the Slovakian champions and the reigning European champions.
The club is coached by former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Touré, who watched his side compete against one of Europe’s strongest teams but ultimately suffer a heavy defeat.
PSG, meanwhile, have immediately placed themselves among the early favourites to retain the trophy, with Torres’ arrival adding another potent attacking option to an already formidable squad.
