PSG 5-4 Bayern Munich. Nine goals. A record that had stood since 1960. And yet, it is the team that conceded four that will travel to Germany next week still believing.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich 5-4 at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday night in the highest-scoring semi-final in UEFA Champions League history, equalling the combined goal tally from Rangers’ 6-3 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the 1960 European Cup. The reigning European champions hold a one-goal advantage going into the second leg in Munich. But Bayern’s late comeback, two goals in three minutes to close from 5-2 to 5-4, makes this the most precarious of first-leg positions.
How It Unfolded
Bayern drew first blood. Harry Kane stepped up to convert a 17th-minute penalty, his 59th goal for club and country this season. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia levelled inside seven minutes, and João Neves headed PSG in front in the 33rd minute.
Michael Olise levelled from close range in the 41st minute, and it looked like Bayern might carry a draw into the break. Then came the flashpoint. Ousmane Dembélé’s cross struck Alphonso Davies’ leg before hitting his arm. The referee pointed to the spot. The VAR upheld it after a lengthy review at the pitchside monitor, and Dembélé converted in the fifth minute of added time to send PSG into the interval 3-2 ahead.
Bayern’s cause was not helped by Vincent Kompany, who watched from the stands having collected a touchline ban.
The second half began at the same pace. Kvaratskhelia scored his second in the 56th minute. Two minutes later, Dembélé made it 5-2, and PSG looked to be coasting into the return leg with a three-goal cushion. Bayern had other ideas. Dayot Upamecano pulled one back in the 65th minute, and Luis Díaz made it 5-4 three minutes later. Ten minutes of nervous football followed before PSG held on.
What It Means
PSG go to Munich with a one-goal lead. They are the reigning European champions and have the better attacking record. But a 5-4 scoreline at the Allianz Arena is not comfortable. Bayern scored four goals in Paris without their manager on the touchline, still trailing, with a full-strength crowd pushing them forward at home yet to come. A single goal in the second leg reopens the tie completely.
The numbers say how extraordinary Tuesday was. Both teams scored four or more goals in a European semi-final for the first time in history. Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer did not make a save across 90 minutes. It was the first time Bayern conceded five goals in Europe since 1994-95, when Ajax beat them 5-2 in the Champions League semi-final second leg. This match is now joint-record territory alongside a 66-year-old result.
Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé both scored twice. Kane scored but lost. The second leg in Munich next Wednesday will be just as dramatic.
The Big Number: 9
Nine goals. Not xG, not possession, not shots on target: nine actual goals in a Champions League semi-final. The previous joint record dated back 66 years. PSG lead 5-4. Everything is still to play for.
PSG lead the tie 5-4. Second leg: Allianz Arena, Munich, next Wednesday.
No comment