UEFA Champions League: In a dramatic nine-goal thriller, PSG comes from behind to defeat Bayern and advance to the semi-finals. Kvaratskhelia’s excellent effort, along with goals from Kane and Luis Díaz, helped the French team defeat the Bavarians and go to the final in Munich.
The Parc des Princes was the setting for an extraordinary “early final.” Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich played a thrilling game of offensive football that finished with a 5-4 triumph for the French side.
The result ensures that the current champions will have the benefit of a draw in the return leg, which will take place next Wednesday at the Allianz Arena.
Even before the first whistle on Tuesday (28), the mood in Paris was that of a pivotal match, with a warm welcoming from the supporters and pyrotechnics. Despite bodily reservations, Doué and Nuno Mendes made the sacrifice and began the match.
The game began carefully, but the serenity did not last long. Bayern made a lightning-fast counterattack in the 15th minute, after Kvaratskhelia’s misjudged cross. Pacho hauled down Luis Díaz in the area, resulting in a penalty. Harry Kane, persistent, converted to open the scoring and score his 54th goal of the season.
Bayern had an opportunity to seal the game with Olise straight after, but Safonov and Marquinhos stopped the second goal. The French responded with the “best in the world” Dembélé, who squandered a clear chance, but Kvaratskhelia soon equalised with a crisp strike into the corner.
In the first half, PSG scored with midfielder João Neves’ surprise header in the 33rd minute. However, the “night of redemption” persisted. Olise, who had missed a great goal opportunity, outpaced four defenders before unleashing a thunderous shot to tie the game at 2-2.
Before halftime, VAR stepped in when the ball struck Davies’ arm. Dembélé took the penalty, scored the third goal, and put PSG ahead heading into the interval.
Returning for the final stage, Luis Enrique’s team appeared invincible. Kvaratskhelia scored the fourth, and Doué, with his quickness, added the fifth, leaving the Germans astonished.
But Bayern, owners of six Champions League titles, showed why they are a continental giant. In less than ten minutes, Upamecano scored with a header and Luis Díaz, in an individual play, scored a fantastic goal, reducing the difference to just one goal and reviving the Bavarians in the match.
PSG struck the crossbar with a Mayulu attempt, but the final whistle sealed the 5-4 win. Despite the victory, the atmosphere is not entirely celebratory: full-back Hakimi suffered a thigh injury and may be a severe loss for the return leg in Munich.
Bayern Munich will rely on their home record to achieve qualification: the Germans have won all six matches at the Allianz Arena this season, averaging 3.33 goals per game. PSG, on the other hand, merely requires a draw to stay in contention for the championship.
