Ousmane Dembele's fourth-minute strike will give Paris Saint-Germain a narrow one-goal advantage ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Arsenal, following a 1-0 win at the Emirates this evening.
A lightning quick start from the visitors saw them dominate proceedings for much of the first half, as Desire Doue also forced David Raya into an excellent save on the half-hour mark, and the visitors will be disappointed not to leave with a bigger advantage, after Goncalo Ramos struck the bar and Bradley Barcola fired wide from close range late on.
Arsenal gradually grew into the game, but saw Gianluigi Donnarumma thwart them at every possible opportunity, keeping out Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard with fantastic saves down low to his left.
On the one occasion Mikel Arteta's men were able to beat the Italian in the PSG goal, VAR was on hand to disallow Mikel Merino's header for a very tight offside call on a frustrating evening for the Gunners, who have it all to do in the French capital next week.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
It was something of a surprise that Luis Enrique's men came into this first leg as the underdogs, given their recent form, and in particular the performance they put in at Anfield to knock Liverpool out in the last 16, and they made a mockery of those pre-match odds tonight.
From the outset, PSG took control of the game, with midfield trio Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha oozing class in midfield, and providing their front three with the ammunition to attack Arsenal in the first half especially.
Arsenal were always bound to play themselves into the game, and PSG's open nature allowed the hosts to get into some dangerous positions, but Enrique knows he has the ability of Donnarumma between the sticks to bail them out, and he did so again this evening.
It is perfectly poised ahead of the second leg, and PSG will be huge favourites given the advantage they will take into it, but the tie is far from done and dusted, and with Arsenal needing to go on the offensive, we could be in for a thrilling night in Paris next Wednesday.
ARSENAL VS. PSG HIGHLIGHTS
Dembele goal vs. Arsenal (4th min, Arsenal 0-1 PSG)
WHAT A STRIKE FROM OUSMANE DEMBELE 💥
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 29, 2025
PSG go ahead quickly at the Emirates thanks to the Frenchman's goal#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/hZe3vSLIhO
It is a dream start for PSG at the Emirates! Silky footwork on the left-hand side from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opens up some room, and he picks out Dembele on the edge of the area, and the in-form attacker beats Raya with a precision strike that cannons in off the inside of the post.
MAN OF THE MATCH - GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA
© Imago
While PSG's midfield were excellent in the first, it was ultimately the heroics of Donnarumma that kept their lead intact when Arsenal rallied in the second half.
Martinelli was denied shortly before half time, before Donnarumma got down low to his left excellently once again to keep out Trossard in the early stages of the second half, and without him, the scoreline heading back to Paris may well have been much different.
ARSENAL VS. PSG MATCH STATS
Possession: Arsenal 48%-52% PSG
Shots: Arsenal 10-11 PSG
Shots on target: Arsenal 5-4 PSG
Corners: Arsenal 3-1 PSG
Fouls: Arsenal 15-15 PSG
BEST STATS
Most goal involvements in a single Champions League campaign for PSG:
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 29, 2025
◎ 11 - Kylian Mbappé (2020/21)
◉ 11 - Ousmane Dembélé (2024/25)
Dembouz equals the record. 🤝#UCL pic.twitter.com/GSFJ4fNjrf
PSG are the first side to have 4+ shots on target in the first half of a Champions League game against Arsenal since Barcelona in March 2016. 🎯 https://t.co/ILKA9n8NOQ
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 29, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Arsenal still have some work to ensure Champions League qualification next season and will host Bournemouth at the weekend, while PSG can relax when they go to Strasbourg, with the Ligue 1 title already in the bag.
Andrew Delaney
