Paris Saint-Germain qualified for the semi-finals of this year's edition of the Champions League, after eliminating Barcelona from the competition with an aggregate score of 6:4. The Parisians had lost the first match at home 2:3, but in the second leg at the Montjuic they turned it around and won 4:1 after the Catalans were a man down in the first half.
The match got off to a great start for the hosts, who took the lead in the 12th minute through Rafinha, who was also among the main actors in the 3:2 win in Paris. After about half an hour of play, however, Ronald Araujo was sent off with a straight red card and the task of Xavi Hernandez and company became more complicated. The visitors equalized before the break after a gol from former Blaugrana player Ousmane Dembele. In the 54th minute, Vitinha made the complete turnaround, and 120 seconds later, Xavi was also sent off by the referee. Five minutes later, Kylian Mbappe gave the Parisians the lead in the overall result after a perfectly executed penalty and a minute before the end of regular time, the French striker again rejoiced with his teammates for the final 4:1.
Thus, PSG continues to dream of a debut trophy from the most prestigious European club tournament, after losing in the final to Bayern Munich in 2020. In a dispute for a place in a new final, the French champions will have another obstacle from the Bundesliga against them - Borussia Dortmund.
The Yellow-blacks overcame a 1:2 deficit after the first leg with Atletico Madrid and are in the semi-finals after a 4:2 win in the second leg at Signal Iduna Park.
Two quick goals from Julian Brandt and Jan Maatsen within five minutes in the first half put Borussia 2:0 up and erased the opposition's advantage. However, an early Mats Hummels own goal after the break restored Atleti's hopes, and Angel Correa restored the tie and temporarily sent Atleti into the last four. However, the hosts were of a different opinion as they eventually strung together two more goals in quick succession - this time in the space of three minutes - to end any resistance from the visitors from Madrid. Goals were scored by Niclas Fullkrug and Marcel Sabitzer.
Dortmund will thus face PSG in contention for a place in the final. The first leg is on German soil on April 30/May 1, with the second leg a week later. The two teams will play each other again after already meeting earlier in the group stage. There, the Parisians did not lose once after a 1:1 draw in Germany and a 2:0 home win at Parc des Princes. /BGNES
