Borussia Dortmund reach the Champions League final after eliminating Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappe with a memorable win in Paris.
Mats Hummels’ second-half header handed Dortmund a 1-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes and a spot in the final for the first time since 2013. The Bundesliga side won a spot in the Champions League final for the first time since 2013 thanks to a 2-0 aggregate win. Edin Terzić’s side will now face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich at Wembley.
Despite winning the first leg with one goal, Dortmund started the game against the French champions as underdogs. Dortmund players played with confidence and maturity in the first half as the home side failed to create any clear chances. The first 45 minutes were a tight game with the best chance going to Dortmund when Adeyemi could score during a counterattack. Enrique’s side failed to produce a convincing attacking display in front of their fans at the Parc des Princes.
Paris Saint-Germain started the second half on the front foot, but Mats Hummels gave Borussia Dortmund the lead with a header from a corner. After the goal, the German side sat deeper as PSG increased their pressure, but the finest of margins decided the tie as PSG Paris hit the woodwork four times on Tuesday night.
Edin Terzić’s men deserved credit as their defensive shape and discipline were so good over the two legs. Dortmund made it out of this season’s Group of Death and now will return to the Champions League final after 11 years.
PSG vs Dortmund: Play-by-Play
It took over half an hour for the home side to create their first dangerous chance. After taking three defenders out of the game with his run, Mbappe found Beraldo and he sent the ball to Dembele. However, his shot went high of the bar.
Dortmund had an opportunity on the counter in the 35th minute after Hummels won the ball from Mbappe. Brandt found Adeyemi inside the box, but Donnarumma managed to send it away.
Everyone expected that PSG would start the match on the front foot, but Dortmund frustrated them with a disciplined performance. Edin Terzić’s men made it difficult for PSG to play as they supported each other in the first 45 minutes.
PSG came close to scoring at the start of the second half, but Zaire-Emery hit the post and went out. Mbappe’s cross reached Zaire-Emery at the far post after Ramos touched it. Zaire-Emery hit the post with his effort from a tight angle.
Dortmund captain Mats Hummels scored for his team with his head from Brandt’s corner in the 50th minute. It was an easy goal as PSG defenders did poorly in man-marking the opposition players.
PSG hit the post for the fourth time in this tie in the 61st minute. Nuno Mendes who had license to join the attack more in the second half, tried his chance with a powerful shot but his effort hit the woodwork.
Enrique’s side won a penalty after Dembelse went down in the 65th minute, but the referee changed his mind as the foul was just outside the box.
Dortmund defenders failed to clear the ball properly and the ball reached Mbappe inside the box in the 87th minute. However, his effort hit the bar and wet out. Just one minute later, PSG hit the post for the sixth time in this tie. Dembele sent the ball to Vitinhha, and his powerful shot from outside the box hit Dortmund’s defender, touched the bar, and went out.
Mbappe wanted a penalty after Schlotterbeck brought him down inside the box in the 90th minute, but the referee didn’t agree with him.
Paris Saint-Germain player ratings (4-3-3)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) – 6/10: Saved his team when he denied Adeyemi in the first half. The goal was not his fault.
Achraf Hakimi (RB) – 6/10: Adeyemi caused some problems for him. Dangerous going forward but his final ball let him down.
Marquinhos (CB) – 6/10: Handled Fullkrug well and was composed on the ball.
Lucas Beraldo (CB) – 4/10: Once again showed his inexperience as he was nervous. Lost Hummels on the goal.
Nuno Mendes (LB) – 8/10: PSG’s best defender on the night. Kept Sancho quiet and was dangerous going forward. Unlucky as his shot hit the post.
Warren Zaire-Emery (CM) – 7/10: Should score early in the second half as he hit the post from close range. Showed his talent occasionally.
Vitinha (CM) – 8/10: Arguably PSG’s best player in this match. Tried a few long-range efforts and hit the post once. Drove his team forward with his incisive passing.
Fabian Ruiz (CM) – 5/10: Gave the ball away easily and failed to control middle of the pitch. Was replaced early in the second half.
Ousmane Dembele (RW) – 6/10: Should use his chances better. Quiet in the first half but caused problems in the second half, but nothing really came off for him.
Goncalo Ramos (ST) – 5/10: Missed a couple of chances and didn’t have much of an impact.
Kylian Mbappe (LW) – 6/10: Ineffective in the first half. Improved in the second half and hit the top of the bar late in the game. Dortmund defenders handled him well as he failed to have much impact. The Frenchman wasn’t at his best.
Substitutes
Kang-In Lee (For Zaire-Emery – 76′) – 6/10: Promising, but he had little time to change anything.
Bradley Barcola (For Ramos – 63′) – 6/10: Made positive impact with his energy. Should have been picked from the start.
Marco Asensio (For Ruiz – 63′) – 5/10: Tried his best with his running, but was ineffective.
Manager
Luis Enrique- 6/10: His starting eleven and playing Ramos backfired as they failed to put Dortmund under pressure. They improved in the second half after bringing Ramos increated a lot,
Borussia Dortmund player ratings (4-2-3-1)
Gregor Kobel (GK) – 6/10: Had little to do and the frame of the goal saved him several times.
Julian Ryerson (RB) – 7/10: Handled Mbappe well and was a threat on the right-hand side.
Mats Hummels (CB) – 9/10: Another great performance from experienced captain. Organized the defence well and scored a crucial goal.
Nico Schlotterbeck (CB) – 8/10: Calm under pressure. Composed on the ball and won most of his duels.
Ian Maatsen (LB) – 6/10: Solid in defense and attack. Won most of his duels against Dembele.
Marcel Sabitzer (CM) – 6/10: Tireless and energetic in the midfield. Held things together in front of Dortmund defense.
Emre Can (CM) – 6/10: Kept things tidy in the middle of the pitch. Helped Dortmund keep hold of the ball under pressure and worked hard without the ball.
Jadon Sancho (RM) – 6/10: Not as dangerous as the first leg, but caused PSG defense problem with his skills and runs. Also worked hard off the ball.
Julian Brandt (AM) – 7/10: Solid display as he was a threat when Dortmund won the ball. Created the goal with his delivery from a corner.
Karim Adeyemi (LM) – 5/10: His pace caused problems and could score in the first half from Dortmund’s best chance. His impact was limited and no real impact and subbed early in the second half.
Niclas Fullkrug (ST) – 6/10: Worked hard without the ball throughout the game. Hold the ball well in some occasions and won some of his physical duels.
Substitutes
Marco Reus (For Adeyemi – 56′) – 6/10: Failed to make a positive impact but helped his team with his experience and composure on the ball.
Niklas Sule (For Sancho – 67′) – 6/10: Worked hard without the ball to help Dortmund defend their lead.
Felix Nmecha (For Brandt – 85′) – N/A: Did not have enough time to have an impact.
Manager
Edin Terzic – 7/10: His team frustrated PSG forwards in the first half with an organized and disciplined performance. They rode their luck in the second half, but his changes helped his team to defend their lead. Terzic’s side will play in the final thanks to their impressive defensive shape and dangerous counterattacks.
