Despite Losing To Bayern, PSG Qualify For Champions League Semi-Finals

Paris Saint-Germain (Twitter @PSG_English)

JAKARTA - Paris Saint-Germain eliminated Bayern Munich to the Champions League semi-finals with an away goal despite losing 0-1 to their guests in the second leg of the quarter-finals at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on Tuesday local time (Wednesday, western Indonesia time).

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored for Bayern against his former team, but PSG, who won 3-2 in the first leg at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, 7 April last week, were entitled to qualify with an away goal in a 3-3 aggregate score, UEFA's official website notes.

PSG is still waiting for their opponents in the semi-finals, the winner of another quarter-final match between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund, whose second leg was only played at Signal Iduna Park, Germany, Wednesday local time (Thursday, western Indonesia time).

PSG almost started the second leg as well as they did at the Allianz Arena a week ago, when Kylian Mbappe had a chance from Neymar's pass, unfortunately, this time his shot was still crossed outside the far post.

The hosts created another good chance in the ninth minute when Mbappe's pull-back fell in front of Neymar after hitting Lucas Hernandez and Joshua Kimmich, but the Brazilian star's finish was still deflected in by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Neymar again failed to beat Neuer when he received a pass from Mbappe in the 28th minute, despite being free, his shot was brilliantly blocked by the German main goalkeeper.

PSG, who were relatively dominant in the first leg, seemed unbeaten when two consecutive chances from Neymar hit the post and the crossbar in the 39th minute.

That failure had to be paid well, as a minute later Choupo-Moting was able to take Bayern's lead over PSG with his responsiveness of grabbing the ball from Kingsley Coman's unstoppable shot by goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Bayern, who trailed 3-3 on aggregate, almost doubled their lead in the second leg a minute before half-time, but this time David Alaba's long-range shot was deflected by Navas over the crossbar.

A one-goal advantage gave Bayern a confident start to the second half and Alaba again had a chance when Leroy Sane's shot bounced in front of him, but his finishing shot was deflected narrowly wide of the goal.

In the 53rd minute, Neymar wasted a golden opportunity to equalize when he failed to reach the ball in front of Bayern's goal that had been deflected off by Neuer, who was lured to close angel Di Maria's space.

At the other end of the pitch, Sane delivered a breakthrough pass that was missed by Presnel Kimpembe and attempted by Thomas Mueller, but Navas was quick to do smooth before the ball hit Mueller again and off the field.

In the last 20 minutes, Hansi Flick tried to add to Bayern's fresh energy by inserting Jamal Musiala in place of Alphonso Davies, who Mauricio Pochettino responded to by bringing down Moise Kean in place of Julian Draxler.

In the 78th minute, Mbappe ran alone from near the center of the pitch in a counterattack to break Neuer's goal, but the goal was soon disallowed as the line judge raised the flag for offside.

Bayern's hard work never came to fruition, including their last chance which Sane failed to complete perfectly because his pull ball was too close to be cut by Navas.

FULL-TIME: @PSG_English 0️⃣ - 1️⃣ @FCBayernEN (Agg: 3-3)

We progress into the @ChampionsLeague semi-finals!!! #PSGFCB | 🏆 #UCL pic.twitter.com/wNyiKj7oyA

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) April 13, 2021