Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele both scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain edged Bayern Munich 5-4 in a breathtaking first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, an extraordinary contest that set a new record as the highest-scoring match at this stage of the competition.
The clash at the Parc des Princes delivered a frantic first half, with Harry Kane opening the scoring from the penalty spot for Bayern before Kvaratskhelia levelled. Joao Neves then put PSG ahead, only for Michael Olise to restore parity at 2-2.
Dembele converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time to give the hosts a 3-2 lead at the break.
PSG surged further ahead after the restart, with Kvaratskhelia continuing his sensational form and Dembele adding his second of the night to make it 5-2, seemingly putting the tie beyond Bayern’s reach.
However, the German champions mounted a spirited comeback. Dayot Upamecano pulled one back with a header before Luis Diaz struck to reduce the deficit to 5-4, ensuring the tie remains finely balanced ahead of the return leg.
The pulsating encounter, already being described as a modern classic leaves the semi-final delicately poised before next week’s second leg at the Allianz Arena, with a place in the final in Budapest at stake.
Under Luis Enrique, PSG will travel to Munich with a narrow advantage as they seek to retain the Champions League title. Meanwhile, Bayern—led by Vincent Kompany—will be confident of overturning the deficit on home soil.
Both sides, widely regarded as among Europe’s strongest this season, produced a match of relentless intensity and attacking quality, one that may stand as one of the greatest Champions League semi-finals in recent memory.
AFP
