PSG stun Arsenal, take step toward Champions League final
Photo: Arsenal lost to PSG in home match (uefa.com)
London's Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain opened the semi-final round of the 2024/25 Champions League. The match at the Emirates Stadium in the English capital ended with a narrow victory for the visitors, according to the match result.
Champions League, Semi-final, First Leg
Arsenal – PSG – 0:1
Goal: Dembélé, 4
Match results
The teams didn’t have time to get a good feel for each other before the first goal was scored.
Just in the 4th minute, Arsenal’s defenders gave PSG’s attackers too much freedom. Dembélé received the ball in midfield and calmly advanced towards the "Gunners" penalty area. He then passed to Kvaratskhelia, who entered the box, faked out the defender, and returned the ball to Dembélé. The Frenchman then fired a precise shot into the far corner, beyond goalkeeper Rai.
This was Dembélé's eighth goal in this season's Champions League.
Everything was decided by Dembélé's goal (uefa.com)
After that, the French team played for the result, while Arsenal took a long time to recover from the initial shock. Only towards the end of the first half did Mikel Arteta’s men regain their composure and start creating chances. Martinelli was dangerous twice, but the ball didn’t find the net.
The second half began with Arsenal’s attacks. They even managed to score, but Marino’s goal was disallowed after a VAR review due to offside. Almost immediately, Donnarumma saved a shot from Trossard at the near post.
Then the game unexpectedly settled into a calmer rhythm. The Gunners searched for ways to break through, but created almost nothing else. The only noteworthy moment was Saka's attempt, which was ruled offside. PSG, on the other hand, could have sealed the win in the final ten minutes. But first, Barcolya missed the far corner. Then Ramos hit the crossbar.
Arsenal had chances but didn’t score (photo: uefa.com)
PSG defeated Arsenal for the first time in European competitions. Before this, the teams had played five matches across different tournaments. Twice the English side won, while three encounters ended in draws.
What was Zinchenko doing
Ukrainian Arsenal player Oleksandr Zinchenko was included in the squad but, as expected, started the match on the bench.
After Arsenal conceded, his appearance on the field became unlikely. Arteta needed to strengthen the attack, not worry about protecting his own goal. Therefore, the Ukrainian never made it onto the pitch.
(x.com/PSG_English)
Return leg date
The finalist will be determined in a week in Paris. The second leg at Parc des Princes will take place on May 7th, with the match starting at 10:00 PM Kyiv time.
The winner will face the best team from the Barcelona vs Inter pair in the tournament's final. The trophy will be contested on May 31st at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
It was also revealed which club is interested in signing Jamie Vardy.
Additionally, it was announced that Rafinha and three other Barcelona players are top contenders for the 2025 Ballon d'Or.
