Bayern Munich drew on the night, but Paris Saint-Germain held on to progress to the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final 6-5 on aggregate after a tense second leg at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich 1-1 PSG (agg 5-6)
Goals: 0-1 Dembélé 3′ (assist: Kvaratskhelia), 1-1 Kane 90’+4 (assist: Davies)
Bayern faced a monumental task heading into this Champions League semi-final second leg, having lost the Paris 5-4 in Paris a week ago. Vincent Kompany’s side needed to overturn a one-goal aggregate deficit, requiring at least two goals to force extra time.
A sold-out Allianz Arena, with 75,000 supporters, provided a spectacular backdrop, with the Bayern faithful producing an impressive pre-match tifo in the south stand reading ‘Shoot us into the final!’ — ‘Fire us into the final!’
Early setback
Bayern’s hopes were dealt an immediate blow when PSG took the lead inside three minutes. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia outpaced Dayot Upamecano and drove into the penalty area, before squaring the ball across goal for Ousmane Dembélé to fire high past Manuel Neuer with no chance. The goal meant Bayern now needed three goals to progress in normal time.
Bayern push for leveller
Bayern gradually grew into the match, with Michael Olise a constant threat on the right flank. Harry Kane had a shot blocked by Willian Pacho in the 12th minute, and Olise twice went close — first with a blocked effort, then with a curling attempt that clipped the top of the net from outside the box.
At the other end, Neuer produced a superb stop to deny João Neves’ close-range header. Jamal Musiala then forced a fine save from Matvey Safonov, before Jonathan Tah sent a free header wide of the PSG goal.
New keeps Bayern alive
The second half resumed without changes from either side, with Bayern continuing to press in search of the goals they desperately needed. PSG, however, remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Neuer was called into action twice in quick succession — first pushing away a fierce low drive from Désiré Doué, then making a strong foot save to deny Kvaratskhelia from a tight angle.
PSG made their first change in the 65th minute, replacing goalscorer Dembélé with Bradley Barcola. Bayern responded with a double substitution in the 68th minute, bringing on Alphonso Davies for Stanišić and Minjae Kim for the booked Tah. Davies made an immediate impact, crossing for Luis Díaz, whose shot was saved by Safonov. Olise also tested Safonov soon after.
Too little, too late
Neuer produced another crucial save in the 89th minute, getting down to his right to deny Barcola’s curling effort. Bayern substitute Lennart Karl had a shot blocked and Konrad Laimer’s follow-up was also blocked, before Kane rifled home in the fourth minute of added time to level the scores on the night.
However, the goal came too light as Champions League holders PSG advanced to the final in Budapest, where they will face Arsenal. Bayern’s attentions now turn to completing a domestic double in the DFB Cup final on 23 May.
Comments are closed.