Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is enduring a difficult run of form at club and international level following a standout 2025/26 campaign, culminating in a 1-0 defeat for Georgia against Northern Ireland in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, September 25, 2026.
A Slow Domestic Start Following European Glory
During the 2025/26 season, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia established himself as a central figure for Paris Saint-Germain. The 25-year-old forward scored 10 goals and provided 7 assists across 16 matches in the UEFA Champions League, helping guide the French club to their second European title with high-profile performances against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich. Those displays placed the Tbilisi native among the contenders for the Ballon d’Or.
However, the new club campaign has brought a sharp drop in productivity. Kvaratskhelia initially sparked Paris Saint-Germain into life by scoring the opening goal in a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup. Since that match, his output has stalled. He was quiet in a 1-0 defeat to Lens in the Trophée des Champions, substituted at halftime during a 2-2 draw with Rennes on the opening weekend of Ligue 1, and subsequently used as a substitute in a 2-2 draw against Lille. In domestic play, he has not featured for more than 68 minutes in any single league fixture recently, managing zero goals and just one assist across his last six appearances.
International Struggles and Penalty Miss Against Northern Ireland
Looking to regain his rhythm, Kvaratskhelia joined the Georgia national team for their UEFA Nations League fixtures. His fortunes failed to turn in Friday’s home match against Northern Ireland in Tbilisi, where Georgia fell 1-0 after a late goal from Shea Charles. The Paris Saint-Germain attacker had a golden opportunity to alter the match in the 65th minute but failed to convert from the penalty spot.
Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, Kvaratskhelia did not shy away from blame. “We assume the full responsibility for our defeat today,” he said. “We could not develop the game we wanted. We had numerous opportunities, but we did not know how to convert them. Personally, I failed to transform the penalty, and I present my excuses to the Georgian supporters. It is football, but I will do everything to correct my mistake in the next match.”
Coaching Fallout and Next Fixtures
The defeat to Northern Ireland carried immediate consequences for the national setup, costing head coach Willy Sagnol his job and leaving Georgia in a difficult position within their Nations League group. Kvaratskhelia and his national teammates must quickly regroup ahead of their upcoming fixture against Ukraine on Monday, September 28, 2026.
At club level, the forward also faces mounting internal competition. The strong start to the season by teammate Ferran Torres has contrasted sharply with Kvaratskhelia’s recent inefficiency, heightening the pressure on the Georgian international to rediscover his decisive edge as the autumn schedule intensifies.
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