UEFA Champions League, Semi-finals, 28/4/25
In a high scoring encounter and undoubted UEFA Champions League classic, PSG secured a narrow margin ahead of the second leg as they emerged 5-4 victors. Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and João Neves found the back of the net for the competiton’s holders.
The match
As Vincent Kompany watched on from the stands, neither team really fashioned any openings in the opening ten minutes. Doué and Olise threatened with dangerous deliveries, but neither French international could find a teammate in the opposition area. Just a few minutes later, Luis Diaz would win a penalty. Pacho connected with ball and man forcing the referee into a decision which ultimately favoured the visitors. Harry Kane made no mistake from 12-yards, sending Safonov the wrong way to open the scoring.
Kane was then involved again as he played Olise into acres of space with a great pass, but the former Crystal Palace attacker couldn’t beat the onrushing Safonov to double Bayern’s lead. Dembélé was presented with Les Parisiens’ first opportunity of the game as he was played through on goal, but as he opened up his body and got the finish all wrong.
Kvaratskhelia then levelled proceedings. Doué played a lofted ball into the channel and the Georgian international did the rest by cutting inside and finding the bottom corner with ease to restore parity.
With the game starting to open up, Olise showed great balance and feet to ghost past Marquinhos and Mendes before reaching the byline. His efforts eventually saw him hit the post via João Neves. Less than a minute later, it was Doué’s turn to show of his quick feet as his effort went narrowly wide and won his side a corner. Dembélé delivered a cross to the near post and with a unsighted run Neves glanced his effort beyond Neuer to give PSG the advantage in the tie.
A swift counter attack saw Doué with the chance to finish again as he found himself one-on-one with the keeper but he pulled his effort wide. Olise then danced his way into the PSG penalty area before unleashing a powerful strike into the roof of the net to level the scoring once again.
Alphonso Davies was penalised on the stroke of half-time for a handball in the area, leading to a Les Parsiens penalty. Ousmane Dembélé stepped up to the spot and found the side netting to give Paris the lead for the second time on the night and heading into half time.
Kvaratskhelia found himself in a great position after the break but connected with Upamecano’s standing leg. The Ligue 1 champions wanted a penalty, but the referee wasn’t interested. He then found himself in the right place at the right time as Hakimi’s deflected cross found him unmarked at the far post, allowing him to guide the ball into the bottom corner and extend PSG’s lead.
Les Parisiens would then compound misery through Dembélé. The Ballon d’Or winner wrong-footed Neuer with a disguised finish to further extend the European champions’ healthy advantage. PSG’s three-goal advantage didn’t last long as Upamecano got the deftest of touches on a set piece to reduce the deficit. Although initially flagged offside, Díaz reduced the deficit after a superb pass from Harry Kane sent him in behind; with excellent control, he finished confidently into the net. The goal was confirmed after a VAR review.
With minutes to go, Mayulu had his first involvement from the bench and clattered the woodwork.
PSG player ratings:
Matvei Safonov – 5
Achraf Hakimi – 5
William Pacho – 4
Marquinhos – 4
Nuno Mendes – 5
João Neves – 6
Vitinha – 5
Warren Zaïre-Emery – 4
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 8
From minute one, the former Napoli forward looked up for the occasion and he proved to be just that. The Georgian showed superb skill to level the scoring and later extend his side’s lead. He proved to the be a threat in the final third throughout the game whether that be with menacing dribbling or elusive positioning.
Ousmane Dembélé – 7
After a quiet first ten minutes, as soon as the game sparked into life, so did the Frenchman. The Ballon d’Or winner proved to be crucial on the night with a powerful penalty and an intelligent finish to leave Neuer at a standstill. He also played the role of creator on the night too.
Désiré Doué – 6
GFFN | Liam Wraith
