PSG and Bayern produce a wild Champions League semi-final

PSG defeated Bayern 5–4 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. The main heroes of the night in Paris were Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé, who both scored twice, while the match went down in tournament history as one of the highest-scoring semi-finals ever.

Paris witnessed a true football shootout. The first Champions League semi-final between PSG and Bayern gave fans nine goals, a frantic tempo, a dramatic ending and plenty of intrigue ahead of the return leg in Munich. Luis Enrique’s side won 5–4, but PSG’s advantage before the second match looks far less comfortable than it seemed during the game.

PSG led 5–2, but Bayern brought the intrigue back

The match started brightly, and as early as the 17th minute Harry Kane converted a penalty to put Bayern ahead. PSG responded quickly: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored in the 24th minute, and then João Neves turned the game around in the 33rd minute.

Before the break, both teams continued to attack without pause. Michael Olise equalized in the 41st minute, but in first-half stoppage time Ousmane Dembélé converted a penalty and put PSG back in front — 3–2.

After the break, the Parisians produced a powerful spell. Kvaratskhelia completed his brace in the 56th minute, and just two minutes later Dembélé scored his second goal. The score became 5–2, and it seemed PSG were close to a commanding victory.

But Bayern did not fall apart. First, Dayot Upamecano reduced the deficit in the 65th minute, and then Luis Díaz brought the Munich side back into the game in the 68th. The final minutes were full of tension: PSG held on for the win, but Bayern kept their real chances of reaching the final alive.

Dembélé named player of the match

Ousmane Dembélé was named the best player of the match. The French forward was the key figure in PSG’s attack: he scored twice, provided an assist and was involved in one more goal-scoring move.

After the match, Dembélé noted that two teams had faced each other who were used to playing boldly and attacking:

“These were two teams that want to attack and do not doubt themselves. We are happy with the result, although we were leading 5–2. Toward the end, we stopped playing a little. Now we will go to Munich with the desire to win and reach the final.”

Kane believes in a Bayern comeback

Despite the defeat, Harry Kane remains confident ahead of the return leg. The English striker emphasized that everything will be decided by how well the teams take their chances:

“The team that makes better use of its chances will win. There were many chances today, and it will probably be the same next week. We will play at home, with the support of our fans, and we hope that will help us go through.”

Kane also noted the high level of both teams, especially in attack, transitional phases and individual duels.

A historic Champions League semi-final

The nine goals in Paris equaled the scoring record for semi-final matches in the European Cup and the Champions League. The same number of goals were scored in the legendary 1959/60 season match, when Eintracht defeated Rangers 6–3.

Now all the intrigue moves to the return leg. The second match between Bayern and PSG will take place on May 6 in Munich. The Parisians go into it with a narrow advantage, but after such a first encounter, one thing is clear: this semi-final duel is still far from over.