PSG have once again delivered a resounding victory. On the Anfield pitch, in a quarter-final second leg that was expected to be a nail-biter, the Parisian club triumphed 2-0 against Liverpool and secured their place in the Champions League semi-finals. Having already won 2-0 in the first leg at the Parc des Princes, Paris thus concludes this two-legged tie with an aggregate score of 4-0, and qualifies for the Champions League semi-finals for the third consecutive time – a feat no French club had ever achieved.
First half: Liverpool push forward, Paris hold on
Liverpool started strongly and played a higher line. PSG were content to defend deeper at times and focused primarily on clearing the ball from the back. Paris created a good chance through Dembélé early in the match, then Liverpool had their best opportunity in the 31st minute: Kerkez's shot was saved by Safonov, and Marquinhos then denied Van Dijk with the rebound. The score remained 0-0 at halftime.
The key event before the break: Ekitike's injury
Half an hour into the game, Hugo Ekitike was injured and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher, in tears. Reuters reports that he showed his Achilles tendon to the medical staff as he left the field. Mohamed Salah came on in his place.
Second half: Liverpool persist, but without success
After the break, Liverpool maintained the initiative. Gakpo looked dangerous, then Gravenberch tried his luck. In the 64th minute, the referee awarded the Reds a penalty for a challenge by Willian Pacho on Alexis Mac Allister. After a VAR review, the decision was overturned in the 66th minute. This proved to be the turning point of the second half.
Dembélé turns the game around
In the 72nd minute, Dembélé opened the scoring for PSG. The move started on the left flank: Kvaratskhelia combined with Barcola, then played in Dembélé on the edge of the box. The striker shifted the ball onto his left foot and curled it into the corner. Liverpool now trailed 0-1 in the match and 0-3 on aggregate.
Paris manages, then doubles down
Liverpool continued to attack, notably through Ngumoha and Kerkez, but Safonov was equal to the task. On the counter-attack, Paris found more space. In stoppage time, in the 91st minute, Dembélé finished off a cutback from Barcola after a move initiated by Kvaratskhelia. PSG then led 2-0 and secured qualification.
In the semi-finals, the European champions will face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, who play each other on Wednesday evening.
It's worth noting that in the other match of the evening, FC Barcelona were eliminated by Atlético de Madrid. Despite winning 2-1, Barcelona were knocked out after their 2-0 defeat in the first leg.
