Paris Saint-Germain pulled off a dramatic comeback at Anfield, knocking Liverpool out of the Champions League on penalties after a tense 1-0 victory in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday.
Ousmané Dembélé’s early strike leveled the aggregate score at 1-1, and PSG held their nerve in a thrilling shootout, winning 4-1 to book their place in the quarterfinals.
Dembélé Strikes Early, Liverpool Fight Back
Liverpool, who had edged the first leg in Paris with a last-minute winner, started strongly, nearly taking an early lead when Mohamed Salah’s effort was cleared off the line by Nuno Mendes.
But against the run of play, PSG struck in the 12th minute.
Ibrahima Konaté’s attempted block on Bradley Barcola’s shot inadvertently pushed the ball away from Alisson Becker, leaving Dembélé with an open goal to slot home.
The strike was the earliest Liverpool had conceded at Anfield in a Champions League match since September 2017.
Liverpool responded with intensity, forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into action. The Italian shot-stopper made crucial saves, including an early diving effort to deny Konaté.
PSG Hold Firm Under Pressure
The second half saw Liverpool dominate possession, but PSG’s defense remained resolute. Dominik Szoboszlai thought he had equalized early in the period, but his goal was ruled out for offside in the buildup.
With Anfield roaring them on, Liverpool kept PSG pinned back. The visitors, however, had their own moment when Dembélé nearly sealed the tie in extra time, only for Alisson to produce a stunning fingertip save to keep the Reds alive.
Donnarumma the Hero in Penalty Shootout
After 120 minutes of high-intensity football, the tie remained level on aggregate, sending the contest to penalties. PSG, despite their shaky history in knockout ties, showed remarkable composure.
Vitinha, Gonçalo Ramos, Dembélé, and Désiré Doué all confidently converted their penalties, while Donnarumma emerged as the hero.
The PSG goalkeeper saved Darwin Núñez’s and Curtis Jones’ tame efforts, while Salah was the only Liverpool player to find the net.
PSG’s victory marked a rare comeback in Champions League history, as they became just the fourth team in 28 attempts to overturn a first-leg home defeat in the knockout stages.
What’s Next?
Luis Enrique’s side will now face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the quarterfinals, with Villa holding a 3-1 advantage ahead of their second-leg clash.
For Liverpool, the defeat is a bitter blow, ending their European campaign and leaving them to focus on their Premier League and domestic cup ambitions.
Meanwhile, the thousands of PSG fans who made the trip to Anfield celebrated deep into the night, their faith in their team rewarded with a sweet revenge.
Other Tuesday UCL Results
Barcelona* 3-1 Benfica (Agg: 4-1h)
Bayer Leverkusen 0-2 Bayern Munich* (Agg: 0-5)
Inter Milan* 2-1 Feyenoord (Agg: 4-1)
Liverpool 0-1 PSG* (1-4 on Penalties) (Agg: 1-5)
