PSG edge Bayern in nine-goal Champions League semifinal epic
PARIS, France: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele scored twice each as Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich 5-4 in an epic first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Tuesday — an extraordinary encounter that was the highest-scoring match ever at this stage of the competition. The first half alone was crazy, with Harry Kane giving Bayern the lead from a penalty, only for Kvaratskhelia to equalize before Joao Neves headed the hosts in front at an enthralled Parc des Princes. Michael Olize made it 2-2, but a Dembele penalty in first-half stoppage time had the reigning champions back ahead at the interval. Kvaratskhelia, surely the standout player in this season’s Champions League, and Dembele both then scored again to have hosts PSG seemingly out of sight, only for Dayot Upamecano to pull one back before Luis Diaz made it 5-4. An unforgettable game — perhaps better even than last season’s semifinal between Inter Milan and Barcelona — leaves the tie between the continent’s two best teams of the moment wonderfully poised for next Wednesday’s return at the Allianz Arena, with a place in the final in Budapest on May 30 on the line. “I’m sure everyone who loves football really enjoyed watching that. It was a real pleasure to play in that game, the kind of game we dream of playing in as kids,” PSG captain Marquinhos told broadcaster Canal Plus. His team will be returning to Munich — scene of their 5-0 win over Inter in last year’s final — with the advantage, but Bayern will be confident they can overturn the narrow deficit at home. “We fought and we clawed and we’re back in the tie,” Kane told Amazon Prime.
