PSG knock out Liverpool as Dembele brace seals UCL semifinal spot
Paris Saint-Germain delivered a ruthless display at Anfield to eliminate Liverpool FC from the UEFA Champions League, sealing a 4-0 aggregate victory with a 2-0 win on the night.
At the heart of it all was Ousmane Dembele, whose second-half brace underlined PSG’s efficiency and ended any hopes of a famous Liverpool comeback.
Anfield roars, but PSG hold firm
Chasing a two-goal deficit from the first leg, Liverpool came out with urgency, driven by the Anfield crowd and memories of past European miracles.
But PSG remained composed. Early warning signs came when Dembele tested Giorgi Mamardashvili, while Liverpool struggled to convert promising attacking moments into clear chances.
A major setback arrived before the half-hour mark when Hugo Ekitike was forced off with injury, disrupting Liverpool’s attacking structure and momentum.
Liverpool’s best opportunity came through a quick sequence involving Ibrahima Konaté and Milos Kerkez, only for Matvey Safonov to produce a crucial save. From the rebound, Virgil van Dijk was denied by a last-ditch defensive intervention.
The turning point arguably came in the second half when Alexis Mac Allister won a penalty, only for VAR to overturn the decision, leaving Liverpool frustrated and the crowd deflated.
Dembele delivers the knockout blow
With Liverpool pushing forward, PSG struck with precision. Dembele collected a pass from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, shifted onto his left foot, and curled a composed finish beyond Mamardashvili to effectively end the contest.
As Liverpool chased a response, spaces opened, and PSG exploited them again in stoppage time. Bradley Barcola teed up Dembele for a simple finish, completing his brace and sealing a dominant aggregate win.
Clinical PSG, blunt Liverpool
The contrast between both sides was stark. PSG were not overwhelmingly dominant in possession, but they were decisive in key moments. Dembele registered multiple attempts and converted efficiently, highlighting the cutting edge Liverpool lacked.
For Liverpool, there were flashes of promise, particularly from 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, whose late cameo injected energy, but overall, they struggled to break down a disciplined PSG defence.
Another English scalp for PSG
This result continues PSG’s impressive record against English opposition in recent Champions League campaigns, having now eliminated multiple Premier League sides across successive seasons.
Underlining their European consistency, the French champions have now reached a third consecutive semi-final, a historic milestone for the club.
PSG advance to the semi-finals, where they will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in a blockbuster clash.
Liverpool, meanwhile, must regroup domestically. With their European campaign over and injuries mounting, attention shifts to securing a top-five finish in the Premier League.
SportsLigue
