UEFA Champions League 2025 semi-finals

Arsenal has a giant hill to climb within the Champions League semi-finals after VAR heartbreak in Wednesday’s (AEST) first leg in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain in London.

The Gunners thought they’d scored a second half equaliser when Mikel Merino discovered the again of the online, however after a protracted inspection, know-how dominated that his boot was offside within the build-up.

PSG continued to outlive a withering onslaught from the hosts, who had began the match as heat favourites.

Watch each match of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Convention League, streaming advert free, reside and on demand on Stan Sport

Goalscorer Ousmane Dembele, who rocked Arsenal within the fourth minute, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma have been the heroes of the 1-0 upset as each continued their elegant kind.

“It simply goes to point out as properly, particularly within the very, very large video games, talent, composure, will at all times beat simply pure will,” Mark Bosnich mentioned on Stan Sport whereas analysing Dembele’s aim.

“And that is precisely what occurred. Fantastic begin from Dembele, that is his thirty second aim in 44 appearances of this season in all competitions.

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“And the precision and the talent that they confirmed, actually quietened down that crowd, which was raucous beforehand, and gave Arsenal extreme issues… very good group – I might be so proud if I used to be a PSG supporter. Large benefit to Paris.”

Neither Arsenal or PSG has received the Champions League.

The second leg is in Paris subsequent week.

Dembele opened the scoring after he was left on their own within the Arsenal space and was picked out by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for a primary time end that snuck in through the far submit.

PSG had misplaced 2-0 on the Emirates Stadium within the league section in October however confirmed no hesitation in taking the sport to Arsenal from the beginning.

As a substitute, it was the hosts who regarded affected by the second of their first Champions League semi-final since 2009 – regardless of having crushed Actual Madrid 3-0 at house within the quarter-finals.

They could not address PSG’s tempo in transition and the guests’ lead simply may have been greater after a dominant first half.

Kvaratskhelia brought about Arsenal issues all through and had a penalty attraction turned down within the seventeenth minute and a shot saved by David Raya within the twenty sixth.

Raya made a greater save within the thirty first to disclaim Want Doue as PSG regularly was the extra threatening group.

On the different finish, Donnarumma denied Arsenal an equaliser on the stroke of half time with a one handed save to maintain out a shot from Gabriel Martinelli.

With former Arsenal supervisor Arsene Wenger trying on from the stands, the Gunners improved within the second half.

Merino thought he had equalised shortly after the break when he headed in a free kick from Declan Rice, nevertheless it was disallowed for offside after a prolonged VAR verify.

Donnarumma then needed to make one other low one handed finger tip save to steer Leandro Trossard’s shot broad after a fast counter-attack within the 56th minute, however that was as shut as Arsenal got here to an equaliser.

PSG substitutes Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos each had probabilities to double the lead late on when clear by on aim.

However Barcola shot narrowly broad and Ramos rattled the crossbar to maintain Arsenal shut going into the second leg in Paris subsequent week.

“They began fast with a aim they usually dominated the primary 15-20 minutes. It is solely halftime, we take positives,” Raya mentioned.

PSG misplaced to Borussia Dortmund at this stage final yr.

“The job that (PSG supervisor) Luis Enrique has performed, having to handle the truth that in (Kylian) Mbappe, in one of many biggest gamers – arguably the best participant on this planet – was leaving (for Actual Madrid),” Bosnich mentioned.

“And he needed to mainly construct a brand new group, and for him to do what he is performed in such a brief time period, it has been a completely excellent achievement.

“That man there, Donnarumma, has been a special goalkeeper. When Arsenal beat this Paris facet within the league section, and fairly convincingly so on the Emirates, we mentioned it is a fully completely different group, Paris then to what they’re now, they usually confirmed that tonight.”

Certainly, Dembele’s aim got here after 26 consecutive passes within the build-up, essentially the most for PSG in a Champions League sport since 2003-04.

“That reveals the dynamic that now we have and the robust collective,” Vitinha mentioned.

“It was an amazing night time. We may have scored extra however we’re glad for 1-0 and we are going to do the whole lot in our energy to go to the ultimate.”

Barcelona hosts Inter Milan on Thursday (AEST) within the different semi last. – with AP