Paris Saint-Germain’s gamers have a good time on the finish of the final 16 second leg UEFA Champions League soccer match between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on March 11, 2025. (Photograph: AFP)
LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom (AFP) — Paris Saint-Germain produced a historic turnaround to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals at Liverpool’s expense as they triumphed 4-1 on penalties after a 1-0 second leg win at Anfield.
By no means in Liverpool’s historical past had they misplaced a European tie after profitable the primary leg away from residence however Ousmane Dembele’s early strike introduced the French champions degree at 1-1 on mixture.
PSG had been then excellent with their 4 spot-kicks, whereas Gianluigi Donnarumma saved from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones.
Luis Enrique mentioned earlier than the sport that the winners would progress to the ultimate and PSG will likely be supremely assured of reaching the semi-finals at the very least as they’ll face Aston Villa or Membership Brugge within the final eight.
A well-known victory for the Parisians was deserved over the tie after they dominated the primary leg solely to be denied by the brilliance of Alisson Becker within the Liverpool purpose earlier than Harvey Elliott snatched a late winner.
The roles had been reversed early on and Liverpool had been made to rue not making extra of their probabilities.
Sensible play by Alexis Mac Allister ought to have created the opener on 4 minutes when the Argentine’s cross picked out Mohamed Salah, whose goalbound effort was deflected over by Nuno Mendes.
Salah sliced large one other good probability on one of many few events he bought the higher of the decided Mendes.
PSG took 10 minutes to experience out the storm from the house aspect earlier than discovering their ft.
The guests took the lead on 12 minutes when Ibrahima Konate might solely flip Bradley Barcola’s cross past Alisson to go away Dembele with a easy end.
The French worldwide has now scored 23 targets in his final 17 video games and will have had extra earlier than the tip of the evening.
Konate almost made amends instantly when his low shot was turned behind by Donnarumma.
Nonetheless, it was PSG who had the higher openings to increase their benefit earlier than half-time.
Twice Alisson needed to be at his sharpest to race off his line and save one-on-ones in opposition to Barcola and Dembele.
– Szoboszlai effort disallowed –
PSG beat Liverpool to the signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in January and the Georgian proved a continuing menace to the Reds’ defence.
Kvaratskhelia’s shot from Dembele’s cross was arrowing in the direction of the highest nook till a deflection from Ryan Gravenberch took it simply over the crossbar.
Improved second-half performances have been a standard theme of Arne Slot’s first season at Liverpool and the hosts got here roaring out of the traps after the break.
Dominik Szoboszlai had a purpose dominated out for offside in opposition to Luis Diaz earlier within the transfer.
Szoboszlai then had a goalbound effort blocked by Willian Pacho earlier than Donnarumma made a significant cease from Diaz from the ensuing nook.
Liverpool’s momentum might have been halted by the lack of Trent Alexander-Arnold to a knee damage after the right-back landed awkwardly.
However his substitute, Jarell Quansah, was inches away from profitable the tie when his header got here again off the within of the submit.
PSG barely threatened in the course of the second half of the 90 minutes however Liverpool had been left hanging on for penalties in additional time.
Lucas Beraldo’s header and Want Doue’s shot flew simply large earlier than extra Alisson heroics saved PSG at bay with a surprising cease to show Dembele’s curling effort around the submit.
Nonetheless, Alisson couldn’t save them within the shootout because it was the opposite goalkeeper who was the hero.
Donnarumma produced nice saves to disclaim Nunez and Jones, both aspect of 4 assured strikes from Vitinha, Goncalo Ramos, Dembele and Doue to ship PSG into the final eight.
