PSG Edges Closer to UCL History as Fans React to Semifinal Win vs. Bayern Munich
Paris Saint-Germain booked their place in a second successive Champions League final on Wednesday night, drawing 1-1 with Bayern Munich to win 6-5 on aggregate in a thrilling semifinal.
An early goal from Ousmane Dembele sent the defending champions to a Budapest showdown with Arsenal on May 30 after the Gunners overcame Atletico Madrid to reach their first European final in 20 years.
Harry Kane's late equaliser on the night wasn't enough to get the Bundesliga champions back into it after a frustrating game for the home side.
Luis Enrique's men will now attempt to be the first team since Real Madrid in 2018 to retain the coveted trophy.
PSG cut Bayern open with their first attack of the match. Fabian Ruiz played a brilliant one-two with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who burst into the area and found Dembele for a powerful finish beyond Manuel Neuer with just two minutes on the clock.
Bayern suddenly needed two goals to draw the tie level. Luis Diaz and Michael Olise were excellent in Paris during the first leg, and looked like the home side's most likely route to goal in the opening 30 minutes.
Diaz caused chaos down the left side, nearly setting up a simple tap-in before shooting over a few minutes later. Olise was the next to try his luck, cutting inside from the right and curling an effort just over Matvei Safonov's goal.
PSG were perhaps lucky not to concede a penalty, as a smashed clearance fully whacked Joao Neves' hand in the box. However, the decision was correct in the eyes of the law.
Minutes later, Neves nearly ended the tie for good, with his excellent run and header forcing Neuer into a vital save, with Bayern's players still calming down after the earlier incident.
Safonov would soon make an important save of his own. Musiala came alive in the box, sweeping a left-footed shot towards the goalkeeper, who did well to halt the danger before the break.
PSG looked defensively solid after halftime, limiting Bayern to few chances to excite the fans and build confidence of a comeback. Neuer was once again called into action with 25 minutes to go, the German keeper getting a strong hand on Desire Doue's shot towards the bottom corner.
Diaz's influence waned as the match progressed, but the Colombian did have a half chance to get his side back in it. Safonov stood up well to his quick shot and then snuffed out a tame Olise chance as the home side began to try their luck from distance.
Frustration gripped the Allianz Arena, summed up by Diaz trying a one-two and throwing himself to the ground when he didn't regain the ball, receiving a yellow card for his troubles.
Kvaratskhelia could have wrapped up his stunning run of form with a goal as the final 10 minutes approached. The Georgian missed the ball after darting into the box for what looked like a certain goal.
Kane had few chances, but with someone of his quality, that rarely matters. The English striker finished brilliantly beyond Safonov with seconds left on the clock to draw level on the night.
It wasn't to be overall, though, as PSG stood firm to reach their third final in seven years.
The Ligue 1 side's win produced quite the reaction on social media, as fans, rival supporters, and football royalty had their say on a memerable semifinal clash.
Enrique's team will now face Arsenal for the biggest prize in European football, as the defending champs take on the tournament favourites in what could be a classic due to the teams' contrasting styles.
