Paris Saint-Germain secured a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Wednesday, advancing to the final with a 6-5 aggregate victory. Ousmane Dembélé scored early for PSG, while Harry Kane equalized in stoppage time for Bayern, who were unable to overturn the deficit from the first leg. PSG will now face Arsenal in the final on May 30 in Budapest.
Key Moments and Reactions
PSG's defensive resilience was praised by midfielder João Neves, who highlighted the team's ability to endure pressure. 'We know how to suffer. We're ready for what's coming,' Neves said. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi celebrated the victory as a continuation of the club's European ambitions. 'We made history here last year, and we want to keep writing the history of PSG,' he stated.
Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer criticized his team's lack of clinical finishing. 'We didn't have the killer instinct in attack today,' Neuer said. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany echoed the sentiment, calling the defeat 'bitter' but emphasizing the need for improvement. 'The Champions League is over for us this season, but there will be another chance,' Kompany added.
Controversial Decisions
Bayern's frustration grew after a controversial handball decision involving PSG's João Neves. The referee and VAR upheld the call, citing a rule exemption for unintentional handballs by teammates. Bayern also protested Nuno Mendes avoiding a second yellow card after a foul on Konrad Laimer.
Path to the Final
PSG's victory was built on defensive solidity, with goalkeeper Matvei Safonov making crucial saves. Bayern dominated possession but struggled to break down PSG's organized defense. The French side's counterattacks and set-piece threats kept Bayern on edge throughout the match.
Arsenal secured their spot in the final with a 1-0 win over Atlético Madrid, advancing 2-1 on aggregate. The Gunners will now face PSG in a rematch of the 2024 final, where PSG emerged victorious.