Paris Saint-Germain produced a historic turnaround to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals at Liverpool’s expense as they triumphed 4-1 on penalties after a 1-0 second leg win at Anfield. Never in Liverpool’s historical past had they misplaced a European tie after profitable the primary leg away from residence however Ousmane Dembele’s early strike introduced the French champions degree at 1-1 on mixture. PSG have been then good with their 4 spot-kicks, whereas Gianluigi Donnarumma saved from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones.
Luis Enrique mentioned earlier than the sport that the winners would progress to the ultimate and PSG might be supremely assured of reaching the semi-finals no less than as they’ll face Aston Villa or Club Brugge within the final eight.
“Both of the groups need to go to the subsequent part,” mentioned PSG boss Luis Enrique.
“We have been higher in Paris and so they have been higher right here, however I believe my crew at Anfield, in a particular stadium confirmed nice character and character.”
A well-known victory for the Parisians was deserved over the tie after they dominated the primary leg solely to be denied by the brilliance of Alisson Becker within the Liverpool purpose earlier than Harvey Elliott snatched a late winner.
The roles have been reversed this time as Liverpool have been made to rue not making extra of their probabilities.
“Over 90 minutes we did not need to lose at present, over 180 minutes perhaps it was deserved,” mentioned Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
“We ran out of luck after final week.”
Brilliant play by Alexis Mac Allister ought to have created the opener on 4 minutes when the Argentine’s cross picked out Mohamed Salah, whose goalbound effort was deflected over by Nuno Mendes.
PSG took 10 minutes to journey out the storm from the house facet earlier than discovering their ft.
The guests took the lead on 12 minutes when Ibrahima Konate might solely flip Bradley Barcola’s cross past Alisson to depart Dembele with a easy end.
The French worldwide has now scored 23 targets in his final 17 video games and will have had extra earlier than the top of the evening.
PSG who had the higher openings to increase their benefit earlier than half-time.
Twice Alisson needed to be at his sharpest to race off his line and save one-on-ones towards Barcola and Dembele.
Quansah hits inside put up
PSG beat Liverpool to the signing of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in January and the Georgian proved a relentless menace to the Reds’ defence.
Kvaratskhelia’s shot from Dembele’s cross was arrowing in the direction of the highest nook till a deflection from Ryan Gravenberch took it simply over the crossbar.
Improved second-half performances have been a typical theme of Slot’s first season at Liverpool and the hosts got here roaring out of the traps after the break.
Dominik Szoboszlai had a purpose dominated out for offside towards Luis Diaz earlier within the transfer.
Szoboszlai then had a goalbound effort blocked by Willian Pacho earlier than Donnarumma made an important cease from Diaz from the ensuing nook.
Liverpool’s momentum might have been halted by the lack of Trent Alexander-Arnold to a knee damage after the right-back landed awkwardly.
But his alternative, Jarell Quansah, was inches away from profitable the tie when his header got here again off the within of the put up.
PSG barely threatened in the course of the second half of the 90 minutes however Liverpool have been left hanging on for penalties in additional time.
Lucas Beraldo’s header and Desire Doue’s shot flew simply large earlier than extra Alisson heroics saved PSG at bay with a surprising cease to show Dembele’s curling effort around the put up.
However, Alisson couldn’t save them within the shootout because it was the opposite goalkeeper who was the hero.
Donnarumma produced nice saves to disclaim Nunez and Jones, both facet of 4 assured strikes from Vitinha, Goncalo Ramos, Dembele and Doue to ship PSG into the final eight.
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