PSG edge past Bayern Munich in nine-goal Champions League semi-final first leg classic

Updated
Dembele celebrates his goal with teammate Doue
Dembele celebrates his goal with teammate DoueALAIN JOCARD / AFP

UEFA Champions League (UCL) holders Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich 5-4 in a breathless and brilliant semi-final first leg, setting a new record for the highest-scoring last-four clash in the competition’s history. 

This mouth-watering tie pitted the reigning champions against the tournament favourites, and the pre-match build-up set the tone as the Parc des Princes was brought to life by giant tifos and a stunning fire show.

Bayern struck first in the 17th minute when William Pacho tripped Luis Diaz in the box, allowing Harry Kane to send Matvei Safonov the wrong way from the penalty spot. It was the striker’s 54th goal of the season across all competitions, and saw him become the first Englishman to score in six successive UCL games.

Safonov then made a big save from Michael Olise after the Frenchman was slipped through one-on-one by Kane, shortly before Ousmane Dembele blazed wide when racing clear at the other end. 

Dembele’s blushes were spared almost instantly by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who scurried into the box, cut inside, and found the far corner.

Match stats
Match statsStatsPerform via Opta

The level of ability on show was breathtaking, and Olise clipped the post after bursting in off the right before Desire Doue saw an effort deflected wide following a mazy run. 

Dembele swung in the resulting corner and Joao Neves – who scored when these sides met here in the league phase – timed his run perfectly to head beyond Manuel Neuer.

Olise restored parity four minutes before half-time when he jinked into the box and slammed home his 20th goal of the season across all competitions.

Yet there was more drama to come in stoppage time when Alphonso Davies was adjudged to have handled the ball following a VAR review, and Dembele squeezed the penalty past Neuer for his 17th goal of the campaign.

The goal rush continued after half-time when Kvaratskhelia curled home Achraf Hakimi’s cross to reach double figures in the UCL this season, before Dembele added a fifth only two minutes later when he left Neuer motionless with a low effort that kissed the inside of the near post.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia goal sequence
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia goal sequenceREUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier / StatsPerform via Opta

The record-breaking eighth goal arrived just 20 minutes after the break when Dayot Upamecano nodded home Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick with the faintest of touches to score only his second goal of the season, before Diaz produced a brilliant touch and finish from Kane’s pass to reduce the deficit to one.

It was the Colombian’s third goal against PSG this season, having struck twice in the league phase fixture, and the 100th scored by Bayern’s front three of Diaz, Kane, and Olise in 2025/26.

PSG were denied a sixth goal when Senny Mayulu’s late strike hit the crossbar, but they saw out their 100th win in the UCL proper, and a 50th for boss Luis Enrique, who becomes the fastest-ever coach to reach that mark, in 77 games.

It ends a run of five straight head-to-head defeats for the Parisians, halting Bayern’s nine-match winning streak in all competitions ahead of the second leg at the Allianz Arena next Wednesday.

Match momentum
Match momentumStatsPerform via Opta

Flashscore Man of the Match: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain)

Check out the match stats here.

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