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PSG down Arsenal in first leg of Champions League semi-final
AP • April 30th, 2025 9:45 am
Photo: AP
An early Ousmane Dembele goal has earned Paris Saint-Germain a 1-0 win over Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
France international Dembele opened the scoring in the fourth minute after he was left all alone in the Arsenal area and was picked out by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for a first-time finish that snuck in via the far post.
PSG had lost 2-0 at Emirates Stadium in the league phase in October but showed no hesitation in taking the game to Arsenal from the start on Wednesday (NZ time). Instead, it was the hosts that looked affected by the moment in their first Champions League semi since 2009 — despite having beaten Real Madrid 3-0 at home in the quarter-finals.
Kvaratskhelia caused the Gunners problems throughout and had a penalty appeal turned down in the 17th minute and a shot saved by David Raya in the 26th.
Raya made a better save in the 31st to deny Desire Doue as PSG continually was the more threatening team.
Leandro Trossard takes a shot on goal | Photo: AP
At the other end, Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Arsenal an equaliser on the stroke of halftime with a one-handed save to keep out a shot from Gabriel Martinelli.
The hosts couldn't cope with PSG's pace in transition and the visitors' lead easily could have been bigger after a dominant first 45.
With former manager Arsene Wenger looking on in the stands, Arsenal improved in the second half.
The home side thought they had levelled shortly after the break when Mikel Merino headed in a free kick from Declan Rice, but it was disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR check.
Substitutes Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos both had chances to double the lead late on when clear through on goal. But Barcola shot narrowly wide and Ramos rattled the crossbar to keep Arsenal in with a chance going into the second leg in Paris next week.
Both teams are looking for a first Champions League title. PSG lost to Borussia Dortmund at this stage last year.
Barcelona host Inter Milan on Wednesday in the other semi-final.
