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PSG dump Arsenal to reach Champions League final

Published

7 months ago

May 8, 2025

PSG dump Arsenal to reach Champions League final

Paris Saint-Germain have secured their place in the UEFA Champions League final after defeating Arsenal 2-1 in the second leg of their semi-final clash at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, completing a 3-1 aggregate win.

The French giants, already ahead in the tie thanks to Ousmane Dembélé’s first-leg goal, extended their advantage in the 27th minute when Fabián Ruiz smashed home a shot from the edge of the box after surviving intense early pressure from the Gunners.

Achraf Hakimi doubled the lead in the second half to tighten PSG’s grip on the match, though Arsenal managed a consolation goal. PSG’s Vitinha had a chance to widen the gap further, but his penalty was saved, keeping the scoreline respectable for the visitors.

However, Hakimi put the tie beyond Arsenal when he scored in the 72nd minute, even if Bukayo Saka did then pull one back for the visitors.

PSG advance to a showdown in Munich on May 31 against Inter Milan, and it will be the second Champions League final in their history, five years after a defeat by Bayern Munich in Lisbon.

Arsenal, meanwhile, saw their European dream come to an end as they fell short of reaching what would have been their second final, 19 years after losing to Barcelona in Paris.

Still without a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, all that is left to play for now for Mikel Arteta’s side is securing a third consecutive second-place finish in the Premier League.

There was an electric atmosphere all evening in Paris, and PSG were able to celebrate getting to a final in front of their fans for the first time, after their victory against RB Leipzig in the last four in 2020 was played behind closed doors during the pandemic.

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There was a feverish mood in and around the ground pre-match, but PSG have tripped up in big Champions League ties plenty of times over the last decade.

In addition, their top scorer Dembele was not in the starting line-up having come off with a hamstring problem in the first leg.

– Gunners bombardment –

Arsenal, with Thomas Partey back in midfield after missing the first leg through suspension, did their best to silence the raucous home support by throwing everything at the Parisians right from the off.

Declan Rice headed just wide, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Gabriel Martinelli from close range before producing a stunning save low to his left to keep out a Martin Odegaard shot, all inside the opening eight minutes.

PSG did eventually settle, and they almost went ahead on 17 minutes when Desire Doue teed up Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, whose curling shot hit the far post.

Then Doue wasted a great chance, shooting straight at David Raya in the Arsenal goal after Bradley Barcola had intercepted a loose ball.

But PSG did score before the half-hour mark, the goal coming in the wake of a free-kick awarded for a Rice foul on Kvaratskhelia.

Vitinha’s delivery was headed out by Partey but fell to Ruiz on the edge of the box, and he controlled before smashing in a left-foot shot as the ball bounced back up.

It was the ideal moment for the 29-year-old Spaniard to score his first Champions League goal.

Barcola failed to convert a good chance for the hosts to score again moments later, and Arsenal still had some hope going into the second half.

Only another stunning Donnarumma save with his fingertips prevented Saka from pulling one back on 64 minutes, before PSG were awarded a spot-kick.

German referee Felix Zwayer gave the penalty after being summoned to the pitchside monitor when a shot by Hakimi brushed the outstretched hand of Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Arteta was furious at the decision, yet Vitinha’s kick was turned away by Raya diving to his left.

Nevertheless, PSG made it 2-0 on the night when Dembele, on from the bench, teed up Hakimi to finish in style.

This being PSG, however, there was a wobble as Saka quickly pulled one back from close range after Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard had got the better of Marquinhos on the wing.

Saka then somehow blazed over with an open goal gaping from Riccardo Calafiori’s cross, ensuring that there would be no miracle Arsenal comeback and it would be PSG’s night.

PSG dump Arsenal to reach Champions League final

(AFP)

Related Topics:Arsenal champions league PSG

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Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First MLS Cup Title with 3-1 Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps

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16 hours ago

December 7, 2025

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Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First MLS Cup Title with 3-1 Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps

Lionel Messi inspired Inter Miami to their maiden Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup triumph, delivering a masterclass in a 3-1 victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Argentina superstar orchestrated Miami’s attack, providing two assists and creating another goal to secure the historic win, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.

Miami opened the scoring via an early own goal by Edier Ocampo, but Vancouver quickly fought back when Ali Ahmed equalised in the 60th minute. With the Whitecaps looking dominant, Messi struck again, assisting teammate Rodrigo De Paul to restore Miami’s lead. He then supplied the final pass to Tadeo Allende in injury time, sealing a 3-1 victory.

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The win fulfilled the dream of co-owner David Beckham, who had long envisioned bringing soccer success to Miami. Beckham praised the club’s journey: “We always promised our fans that we would bring success, and bring the best players, and today we’ve achieved that.”

Vancouver, led by Thomas Mueller, had seemed poised to snatch the trophy after leveling the match and nearly taking the lead when Emmanuel Sabbi’s shot struck both posts in the 62nd minute. However, Messi’s quick thinking and precision passing proved decisive, capitalising on a midfield error by Andres Cubas.

The victory marks a historic milestone for Inter Miami, which joined the league as an expansion team in 2020 and successfully attracted Messi in 2023. The MLS Cup triumph also coincides with the retirement of former Spanish internationals Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, key contributors to Miami’s rise.

Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First MLS Cup Title with 3-1 Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps

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Mohamed Salah Slams Liverpool Boss Arne Slot, Hints at Anfield Exit Ahead of AFCON Departure

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17 hours ago

December 7, 2025

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Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah Slams Liverpool Boss Arne Slot, Hints at Anfield Exit Ahead of AFCON Departure

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has launched a stunning attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing the club of “throwing him under the bus” after being benched for three consecutive matches. The outburst has sparked major speculation that the Anfield legend could be playing his final game for the club next weekend before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Salah, Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer with 250 goals in 420 games, was left out of the starting XI in Saturday’s 3–3 draw against Leeds and was not brought on at any point — a decision he said left him “very, very disappointed.”

Speaking in the mixed zone at Elland Road, the 32-year-old expressed shock at losing his place during Liverpool’s poor run, which has seen Slot’s side win just two of their last 10 Premier League matches and drop to eighth.

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“I have done so much for this club down the years… now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why,” Salah said. “It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. Someone wants me to get all of the blame.”

The Egyptian star claimed he was given assurances last summer about his role, promises he believes have since been broken.
“I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship,” he added. “It seems to me someone doesn’t want me at the club.”

Salah revealed he has already told his family to attend next weekend’s match against Brighton, suggesting it may be his farewell appearance at Anfield.
“I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans before I go to the Africa Cup. I don’t know what will happen when I’m there,” he said.

Despite enduring a difficult season, Salah remains one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players. His rare public criticism marks a dramatic escalation in tensions ahead of his departure for international duty with Egypt.

Mohamed Salah Slams Liverpool Boss Arne Slot, Hints at Anfield Exit Ahead of AFCON Departure

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Ferran Torres Hat-Trick Leads Barcelona to 5-3 Thrilling Win Over Real Betis

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1 day ago

December 6, 2025

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Ferran Torres Hat-Trick Leads Barcelona to 5-3 Thrilling Win Over Real Betis

Barcelona moved four points clear at the top of La Liga after a thrilling 5-3 victory over Real Betis at Estadio La Cartuja, courtesy of a first-half hat-trick by Ferran Torres.

Betis took an early lead in just the sixth minute through former Manchester United winger Antony, who scored his fifth goal of the season. However, Barcelona responded quickly, with Torres equalizing from close range before putting his team ahead with a sublime volley two minutes later.

Swedish youngster Roony Bardghji then scored his first La Liga goal, converting Pedri’s assist to extend the Catalan side’s lead to 3-1 after 30 minutes. Torres completed his third goal of the match just five minutes before halftime with a spectacular long-range strike, making it 4-1.

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In the second half, Barcelona were awarded a controversial penalty after VAR ruled that Marc Bartra handled the ball. Lamine Yamal converted calmly, marking his sixth goal of the season. Betis fought back with goals from Diego Llorente and a penalty converted by Cucho Hernandez following a foul by Jules Kounde, but it wasn’t enough to stop Barcelona’s triumph.

The win strengthens Hansi Flick’s side’s position atop La Liga, keeping them ahead of Real Madrid and maintaining momentum in their title challenge.