Paris St-Germain, PSG took control of their all-France Champions League knockout phase play-off with Brest as Ousmane Dembele continued his phenomenal scoring form with another two goals.
Former Wolves loan signing Vitinha opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after Pierre Lees-Melou had handled an attempt by Dembele.
France forward Dembele added the second in the 45th minute with a clinical finish after Brest failed to close the 2018 World Cup winner down.
The former Barcelona player then made it 3-0, pouncing inside the penalty area in the 66th minute.
Dembele has scored 18 goals in his last 11 appearances for PSG in all competitions – and now has 23 for the season for the runaway Ligue 1 leaders.
Shortly before Dembele’s first goal, Brest – who are making their Champions League debut this season – were twice denied by the frame of the goal.
After Abdallah Sima headed against one post from a corner, PSG’s Achraf Hakimi struck the other while trying to put the ball out for a corner.
This was the first play-off match in the new Champions League format. The return leg takes place in Paris on 19 February.
PSG, who have never won the Champions League, were heading out of the competition before back-to-back wins over Manchester City and Stuttgart in the league phase secured a play-off spot.
They will be strong favourites to advance from this position and face either Liverpool or Barcelona in the last 16.
