PSG Held to a Draw by Athletic Bilbao: A Tight Contest in Paris

Paris Saint-Germain were held to a draw by Athletic Bilbao on 10 December after a tense and tactical contest at the Parc des Princes. Match recap, key moments and what it means for PSG’s momentum

Paris Saint-Germain were forced to settle for a draw on Monday, 10 December, after a balanced and often tense match against Athletic Bilbao. Despite controlling long stretches of possession and creating several clear chances, PSG struggled to break down a disciplined Basque defence, who left Paris with a well-earned result.

PSG Dominate Early but Fail to Convert

From the opening whistle, Luis Enrique’s side showed clear attacking intent. With high pressing, rapid ball circulation, and wide overloads, PSG pinned Bilbao inside their own half for much of the first period. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé combined well on the counter and stretched Bilbao’s back line repeatedly.

However, the final touch was missing. Three clear opportunities before halftime — a curled effort from Mbappé, a close-range strike from Kolo Muani, and a Dembélé volley — all failed to test the keeper seriously enough.

Bilbao Grow into the Game

Athletic Bilbao refused to be overwhelmed. Their compact 4-4-2 defensive block gradually frustrated PSG, cutting off passing lanes through the centre and forcing the home side into wider, less threatening channels. In the second half, the visitors pushed higher and created problems of their own.

A powerful shot from Iñaki Williams in the 63rd minute nearly stunned the Parc des Princes, forcing Donnarumma into a full-stretch save that became one of the highlights of the match.

Final Minutes Full of Tension

As the match entered its final stages, PSG increased the tempo and piled bodies forward. Warren Zaïre-Emery came closest to breaking the deadlock with a strike from outside the box, only to see it deflected wide.

Despite waves of pressure, Bilbao remained organised, intelligent, and confident in their defensive approach. The draw felt fair based on the balance of chances — and it reinforced how difficult Athletic Bilbao can be for any opponent when they strike the right tactical rhythm.

What This Means for PSG

While PSG avoided defeat, the result raises familiar questions about consistency in the final third. The Parisians remain strong in possession and structure, but turning dominance into goals continues to be the main area requiring improvement.

For Athletic Bilbao, the draw marks another strong European-level performance and a psychological victory, proving they can stand toe-to-toe with top-tier clubs away from home.