James - Boly (Fanne Drame 64'), Coulibaly, Lucea, Cordier (c) - Jangeal (Khafi 81'), Diyinu Nzinga (Abo El Nay 64'), Assab - Ayari (Idder 81'), Mounguengue, Chtai Telamio (Luvambano 54').
Comprehensive 4-1 winners over Dinamo-Minsk in the previous round, Les Titis returned to action in the UEFA Youth League round of 16 on a beautiful winter's day at Campus PSG. They matched up against ambitious Finnish side HJK Helsinki, who had overcome Manchester City 5-4 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw. Looking to avoid a similar scenario this time around, Paris attacked from the outset and earned an early penalty, perfectly tucked away by Adam Ayari (1-0, 6').
The side from the French capital, coached by Jean-François Vulliez, monopolised the possession and stayed on the front foot. Les Rouge et Bleu promptly doubled their advantage with a lightning fast counterattack as Ayari finished brilliantly from just inside the penalty box (2-0, 16'). Les Titis completely suffocated Helsinki, and duly added a third goal when Pierre Mounguengue turned home Mathis Jangeal's free-kick (3-0, 27').
The hosts ended the first half with a trio of chances (40', 43', 44'), and began the second half in the same vein. David Boly hit the post at the end of an individual run (50'), before Jangeal added goal number four after another turnover in the Helsinki ranks (4-0, 55').
At the other end, Martin James was called upon to deny a visitors' free-kick, but could do nothing when Art Berisha got the Finnish side onto the scoreboard (4-1, 64'). Les Rouge et Bleu quickly steadied the ship before stepping back on the accelerator. Substitute Younes Idder curled home a sensational fifth to kill off any hope the visitors may have harboured (5-1, 84').
There was still time for Yanis Khafi to get in on the action with a thunderous shot that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar (6-1, 87'). It was a demonstration from Jean-François Vulliez's side who march into the quarter-finals of the Youth League, on the back of a formidable attacking display.
Les Titis will now take on either Villarreal or Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Youth League quarter-finals on either 17 or 18 March 2026.