PSG edge Bayern in bonkers first leg with nine goals
PSG edge Bayern in bonkers first leg with nine goals Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich played out a remarkable 5-4 thriller in the Champions League semi-final first leg at the Parc des Princes, with the holders edging a chaotic, end-to-end contest. The night began at a frantic pace, and it was Bayern who struck first when Harry Kane calmly converted from the penalty spot after Luis Diaz was brought down in the box. The reigning champions responded almost immediately, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia cutting inside from the left and bending a superb finish into the far corner to level the scores.
Momentum swung again before the break as João Neves arrived at the back post to glance PSG into the lead, but Michael Olise produced a moment of brilliance to weave through defenders and fire Bayern back on level terms. Drama followed in stoppage time when PSG were awarded a controversial penalty after Alphonso Davies was judged to have handled in the box following a VAR review. Ousmane Dembélé kept his composure to convert and send the hosts into half-time ahead.
The second half saw Luis Enrique's side take full control. Kvaratskhelia added his second of the night after a dangerous cross from Achraf Hakimi , before Dembélé struck again at the near post to extend the lead to 5-2. Bayern looked stunned and briefly out of the contest.
However, the visitors refused to collapse. Dayot Upamecano pulled one back with a close-range finish, before Luis Diaz added a fourth for Bayern with a composed strike after a fine pass from Kane, bringing the score to 5-4 and keeping the tie alive. Despite Bayern’s late fightback, PSG held on through a nervy finish.
Both sides remain firmly in contention ahead of the second leg in Munich, with a place in the final against Arsenal or Atlético Madrid Madrid still up for grabs.