Paris Saint-Germain striker Osmane Dembele has passed his side advantage over Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals.
Paris Saint-Germain took a big step to reach the Champions League final as Haustman Dembele’s early goal sealed a 1-0 victory at Arsenal in the tense first leg of the semi-finals.
Dembele fired the house from the post in four minutes as PSG ruled the opening stage on Tuesday, with Luis Enrique’s side stuck to regaining a valuable advantage in the French capital.
Arsenal, who played in the semi-finals for the first time since 2009, ruled out Mikel Merino’s goal after the break, excluding Mikel Merino’s goal while PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made some great saves.
PSG should have survived the storm and given the bigger cushion for the second leg, but both Bradley Barcola and Goncaro Ramos waste their gold leaf rimmed chances later.
If PSG protects the advantage at home next Wednesday, they will face either Inter Milan in Munich or Barcelona, believing that the first title of the European Blue Reband Club Competition will finally be within reach.
PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, second left, scored his first goal past Arsenal’s David Raya [Dylan Martinez/Reuters]
Arsenal comfortably beat PSG 2-0 in north London early in the league phase in October, but Luis Enrique’s French champion evolved into formidable forces.
Since the loss by Arsenal, PSG has defeated Manchester City in the league phase, knocking out Premier League winner Liverpool in the last 16 years and sending Aston Villa in the quarter-final thriller.
Rolling on fanatic support, PSG gave a kick to the tattered Arsenal for the 25-minute opening.
The smoke from the pre-match fireworks was barely cleared when the PSG hit.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia received the ball on the left and surged into the area before Dembele returned the pass to wipe out the shots from David Raya’s past posts.
This was Dembele’s eighth goal and the 11th goal involved in the competition this season, coinciding with the club record of former PSG Talisman Kylian Mbappe.
PSG’s Bradley Barcola misses chance to score [Andrew Couldridge/Reuters]
Arsenal was shaking and may have gotten worse. Leandro Trossard was booked for pulling down Achraf Hakimi.
Kvaratskhelia was the thorn on Arsenal’s side throughout the first half, screaming for a penalty as he fell to the ground under the suspicious challenge of Julientimber.
Raya made more saves from Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue before Arsenal finally began clearing his head.
Gabriel Martinelli suffered from connections to the cross by Bucayo Saka, and was later rejected by a low save from Donnaramma on the stroke of halftime.
Arsenal thought Merino equalised right after the break when he headed for Declan Rice’s swing-free kick, but the long Valcheck decided he was just offside.
Arteta’s side was temporarily controlled, and as PSG’s defense creaked, Donnarumma made a spectacular low save, turning Trossard’s shot back with his fingertips.
PSG might live to regret not leaving any more, as he ruined the shots significantly during a clean-through before Barcola strived to crossbars.
