PSG ARE INEVITABLE AS KANE CONSOLATION NOT ENOUGH FOR BAYERN
An early Ousmane Dembele goal proved the difference for Paris Saint-Germain as they emerged victorious from their titanic UEFA Champions League semi-final with Bayern Munich 6-5 on aggregate despite a late Harry Kane strike.
The Parisians will face Arsenal in Budapest in the final thanks to a heroic rearguard action and some magic dust sprinkled by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who Steven Gerrard crowned ”the best winger in the world” after he put the opening goal on a plate for Dembele.
Despite assertions from PSG boss Luis Enrique that his side would ”change nothing” from the first leg, the visitors relied on grit more than star power to survive the second leg in a febrile atmosphere at the Allianz Arena, allowing few chances for the hosts’ deadly attack of Kane, Michael Olise, Luis Diaz and Jamal Musiala.
Kvaratskhelia looked like he might have sparked another goalfest less than three minutes in when he latched onto Fabian Ruiz’s pinpoint pass over the Bayern defence, raced down the wing then pulled the ball back for Dembele who smashed his shot over Manuel Neuer to give PSG a precious two-goal advantage.
But the game instead turned into a war of attrition.
Musiala and Olise were so close to latching onto a Diaz cross soon after but PSG’s heroic defenders just beat them to the ball in what would become a major theme of the evening.
Despite Nuno Mendes picking up an early booking and Warren Zaire-Emery filling in for the injured Achraf Hakimi at right-back, Olise and Diaz failed to provide the same incision. And when they did find space in the box – as they did within four minutes of each other at the mid-point of the first half – their shooting was inaccurate.
Kvaratskhelia is the best winger in the world – Gerrard
Video credit: TNT Sports
Kane was marshalled exceptionally by William Pacho and Marquinhos, barely seeing any of the ball, and PSG remained a threat on the counterattack, although neither Kvaratskhelia nor Desire Doue could make the most of their later opportunities.
Indeed, Bayern’s best potential opportunity came when a PSG clearance cannoned into the outstretched arm of Joao Neves but the referee elected not to give a penalty, contributing to Vincent Kompany bemoaning ”too much went against us” in the officiating across both legs.
Nuno Mendes also escaped a second yellow for handball in the first half but the hosts struggled to retain control of the match as they tired against Luis Enrique’s indefatigable men. Chances dried up as the second half wore on, yet just as all hope seemed lost, Kane finally created space for himself in the 93rd minute, turning and shooting past Matvei Safonov to give his side the slightest bit of hope.
It was to be Bayern Munich’s last shot though and PSG celebrated long and hard on the pitch in scenes reminiscent of their 2025 final win over Internazionale at the same ground.
After Arsenal’s victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, The Gunners will face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday, May 30 live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.