Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Arsenal and climbed the 9th peak of European football. Now they head to the final. PSG returns to the final for the first time in 5 years.
PSG won 2-1 against Arsenal in the second leg of the 2024-2025 season UEFA Champions League semifinals held at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, on the 8th (Korea time).
After winning the first leg away match 1-0 with a decisive goal from Ousmane Dembélé, PSG added two more goals today, advancing to the final with an aggregate score of 3-1.
With this, PSG will challenge for the first Champions League title in the club's history. The opponent in the final will be Inter Milan, who secured victory against FC Barcelona after a fierce battle on the 7th.
In this match, PSG deployed a 4-3-3 formation. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola were positioned at the forefront, while Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and João Neves held the midfield. Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos, and Achraf Hakimi formed the back line. Gianluigi Donnarumma guarded the goal. Lee Kang-in waited on the bench.
Arsenal also brought out a 4-3-3 formation. Gabriel Martinelli, Mikel Merino, and Bukayo Saka formed the attacking trio, while Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, and Martin Ødegaard filled the midfield. Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba, and Jennifer Timbers comprised the back line, and David Raya donned the goalkeeper gloves.
Arsenal seized the first opportunity. In the 8th minute of the first half, a throw-in from the right connected with Ødegaard, who fired a low, swift shot from distance. The ball aimed for the lower corner but was saved by Donnarumma.
The pattern continued with Arsenal attacking and PSG defending. In the 17th minute of the first half, PSG had a counterattack opportunity. Khvicha, who caught the ball on the left side, drove inside and took a right-footed shot from distance. The ball hit the post.
In the 23rd minute of the first half, PSG launched another counterattack. Arsenal's center-backs exchanged passes before being dispossessed by Barcola, who advanced and passed to Doué charging in from the side. Doué took a shot, but Raya saved it.
PSG recorded the opening goal. In the 27th minute of the first half, Khvicha earned a foul in a good position, which Vitinha took as the designated kicker. The defense cleared the ball with their head, but it fell to Ruiz, who shook the net with a powerful shot.
PSG faced another golden opportunity. In the 30th minute of the first half, PSG launched another counterattack. Khvicha received a through ball from behind, advanced, and passed to Barcola. Barcola hesitated before shooting, but was again blocked by Rice and Raya.
Two minutes of injury time were added in the first half. The first half ended with PSG leading 1-0 (aggregate score 2-0).
The second half continued with intense exchanges between both teams. However, decisive shots were hard to come by.
In the 19th minute of the second half, Arsenal had a brilliant chance. Saka, who received the ball on the right inside the box, unleashed a sharp left-footed shot, but Donnarumma deflected it with his fingertips.
After overcoming the resulting corner kick crisis, PSG attempted a counterattack. Hakimi exchanged passes with Doué and took a shot, but Raya safely caught it. In this situation, Lewis-Skelly's handball foul was revealed by video review (VAR), leading the referee to declare a penalty kick.
PSG missed the opportunity. Vitinha, who took the penalty kick, approached the ball slowly to shoot, but Raya perfectly read the direction and made a save.
Arsenal replaced Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Martinelli with Ricardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard. PSG substituted Ousmane Dembélé for Barcola.
PSG scored an additional goal. In the 27th minute of the second half, Khvicha received the ball and passed it to Dembélé, who then provided a pass to Hakimi waiting inside the box. Hakimi scored with a quick right-footed shot. The aggregate score is now 3-0. Immediately after scoring, PSG substituted Doué for Luca Hernández to strengthen defense.
Arsenal fought back with a goal. In the 31st minute of the second half, Trossard received a pass laid out to the left flank and won the contest before charging forward. The low cross delivered inside the box took a deflection off a defender and reached Saka, who calmly converted it into a goal. The score is 2-1, and the aggregate score is 3-1.
Arsenal squandered a golden opportunity. In the 35th minute of the second half, a cross from Calafiori was mishandled by Donnarumma, and the ball fell to Saka. Saka's shot went over the crossbar.
Five minutes of injury time were added in the second half. Until the final whistle, Arsenal aimed for PSG's goal, but the match ended in a 2-1 victory for PSG. With the aggregate score of 3-1, PSG heads to the final.
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