PSG Edges Liverpool in Thriller, Becomes Champions League Favorite

Sports Football

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-03-12 08:57:12 |

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Paris Saint-Germain secured their place in the Champions League quarterfinals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Liverpool. The French side won 1-0 in the second leg, leveling the tie on aggregate before sealing the win from the spot.

Early Blow for Liverpool

Despite Liverpool’s dominant start at Anfield, PSG struck first as Ousmane Dembélé capitalized on a defensive mix-up between Alisson Becker and Ibrahima Konaté to give his side the lead inside 12 minutes. The hosts created multiple chances, with Mohamed Salah missing key opportunities, while PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Luis Díaz with a stunning save.

Liverpool came close to equalizing when substitute Jarell Quansah hit the post and Dominik Szoboszlai had a goal ruled out for offside. Ultimately, PSG held firm, and the match was decided by penalties.

Dembélé, Donnarumma Deliver Under Pressure

Dembélé and Donnarumma, both criticized for their performances in the first leg, rose to the occasion. The winger was a constant threat, scoring the crucial goal and confidently converting his penalty. Meanwhile, Donnarumma’s heroics in the shootout, saving spot-kicks from Darwin Núñez and Curtis Jones, sealed PSG’s victory.

Núñez’s Struggles Continue

Núñez’s penalty miss encapsulated his inconsistent Liverpool career. The Uruguayan, who replaced Diogo Jota in the second half, struggled to make an impact and saw his decisive spot-kick stopped by Donnarumma. His frustration was evident as he walked back to midfield, marking another difficult moment in his time at Anfield.

PSG's Midfield Dominance

Once again, PSG’s midfield proved decisive. While Liverpool’s Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch improved from the first leg, they were outclassed by Vitinha, João Neves, and Fabián Ruiz. Vitinha, in particular, was instrumental, completing 103 out of 111 passes and dictating play throughout.

Liverpool Must Refocus for Carabao Cup Final

Liverpool’s Champions League exit is a setback, but they must regroup quickly as they prepare for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle. Adding to their concerns, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Konaté picked up injuries, raising questions about their squad depth ahead of the crucial clash.

PSG Emerging as Title Contenders

With their elimination of Liverpool, PSG has announced itself as a top contender for the Champions League crown. Luis Enrique’s side has shown resilience and tactical discipline, and with Dembélé in top form and Vitinha controlling the midfield, they believe they can take on any opponent in the competition.

A Tough Draw for Liverpool

Despite Liverpool’s dominant run in the league phase, where they beat the champions of Spain and Germany without conceding, the new Champions League format placed them against PSG in the round of 16. Manager Arne Slot questioned whether finishing first in the league phase was worth it, given the difficulty of their draw.

As PSG celebrates a statement victory, Liverpool now turns its focus to domestic silverware.

Go!