Dembele hits hat-trick as PSG reach Champions League knockouts

Ousmane Dembele scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain romped to a 4-1 win at Stuttgart on Wednesday and qualified for the Champions League knockout stages.

PSG were at risk of elimination after a disappointing group stage, with three losses and a draw, but were utterly dominant against an outclassed Stuttgart side as they confirmed their place in the play-off round.

With six minutes gone, Bradley Barcola headed PSG in front after Desire Doue stood a cross up at the back post following a corner.

Stuttgart probed for an equaliser but PSG hit on the counter, Dembele tapping a Barcola pass into an empty net.

Always a threat on the counter, Doue, Barcola and Dembele linked up again for PSG’s third, with the latter blasting in from the right of the goal.

Dembele thrashed in another superb effort shortly after half-time to snuff out Stuttgart’s unlikely comeback hopes.

Stuttgart pulled one back after 77 minutes when Willian Pacho scored an own goal, but the damage was already done, with PSG keeping their hopes of a first Champions League trophy alive.

“There was a lot to be proud of,” Dembele told Canal Plus. “We’ve been doing well for some time now, controlling matches and winning our games.

“There are players who want to win things here with PSG, who run and fight for the shirt. That’s what produces these results.”

The victory relieves the pressure on PSG coach Luis Enrique and sets the French giants up for a two-legged knockout tie in February in order to progress to the last 16.

PSG will face either of Ligue 1 rivals Monaco or Brest, with Dembele saying “whatever happens in the play-off, it’ll be a battle.”

The loss means Stuttgart are eliminated from the Champions League on their return to the competition after 15 years.

“We saw