A fine finish from Goncalo Ramos, a goal from Nuno Mendes and a late strike from Desire Doue Doue gave Paris St Germain a vital Champions League victory, as they beat RB Salzburg 3-0 on Tuesday to move into the playoff spots.

Luis Enrique's side, who have made a terrible start to their Champions League campaign, now sit 24th in the standings just inside the playoff positions, with seven points from six games, while Salzburg are 32nd.

PSG looked sharp in the first half and went close early on through Lee Kang-in's long-range effort and Vitinha's attempt that was denied by goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.

Bradley Barcola also went close as he burst into the area after a superb run but was unable to finish.

"I'm missing that little something in front of goal that will unlock me. Don't think it is a blockage, but we talked about it a lot among ourselves. I had to continue working," Barcola said.

Achraf Hakimi set up Ramos for the opener on the half-hour mark.

The Parisians looked dangerous in the second half as the home side struggled to find their feet. The closest Salzburg came was through Nene Dorgeles in the 63rd minute, as he broke into the box on the left and shot at goal, but PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma kept the ball out.

But PSG were the better side and Mendes doubled their advantage in the 72nd minute with a thunderous left-footed shot from Doue's pass.

Defender Lucas Hernandez returned to the side after a long-term injury and replaced Mendes six minutes from time before Doue added a third goal to seal a much-needed win.

"It's a pleasure and a pride to be back on the pitch. When you suffer an injury like that, it's never easy. From the first day after my operation, I knew I was going to come back stronger and fitter," said Hernandez.

PSG next face Pep Guardiola's Manchester City on January 22 before closing their campaign against VfB Stuttgart seven days later.