DRAMA , GOALS AND SUSPENSE FROM THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI FINALS FIRST LEG
The last four in the UEFA Champions League present drama, a six-goal fest, and Yamal rolling back the years of a Barcelona legend.
Arsenal faced PSG with a lone goal separating the sides as Barcelona and Inter Milan locked horns in a six-goal thriller in the first leg of the UCL semifinal, with the second leg next week.
1. Dembele pushes PSG closer to Champions League Final
Paris Saint-Germain secured a slender 1–0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, thanks to an early and decisive goal from Ousmane Dembele.
The French giants silenced the home crowd just four minutes into the encounter with a swift 26-pass move followed by a stunning strike from Dembele. While Arsenal rallied and showed signs of improvement as the game progressed, they were ultimately thwarted by a resolute PSG defense and impressive goalkeeping from Gianluigi Donnarumma, leaving them with a slender lead in the return leg in France.
PSG’s lightning start saw them slice through the Arsenal press with intricate passing, eventually freeing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the flank. The Georgian winger then teed up Dembele on the edge of the penalty area, who unleashed a venomous left-footed shot that cannoned off the far post and into the net, sending shockwaves through the Emirates.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage shortly after, with Desire Doue’s clever reverse shot forcing a brilliant save from Arsenal’s David Raya.
However, Arsenal gradually found their footing as the first half wore on. Gabriel Martinelli was presented with a golden opportunity after being played in behind the PSG defense, but his attempted curling finish was expertly dealt with by Donnarumma.
The Gunners thought they had leveled the score just two minutes after the restart when Mikel Merino headed home Declan Rice’s deep free-kick. The celebrations were short-lived, however, as a lengthy VAR review, utilizing semi-automated offside technology, confirmed that the Spanish midfielder had strayed offside.
Arsenal continued to press for an equaliser, and Leandro Trossard was next to be denied by Donnarumma, who stretched to make an excellent save after the Belgian forward had darted into the left channel.
Despite Arsenal’s efforts, PSG remained a threat on the counterattack. Bradley Barcola missed a chance to extend their lead, stroking his shot wide after neat interplay between Kvaratskhelia and Goncalo Ramos.
Ramos himself came close to adding a second for PSG in the 85th minute, rattling the crossbar, although replays suggested a potential offside in the build-up.
Ultimately, Ousmane Dembele’s early strike proved to be the difference between the two sides, and Paris Saint-Germain will head back to the Parc des Princes with a crucial one-goal advantage, leaving Arsenal with a challenge to overturn in the second leg if they are to secure a place in the Champions League final in Munich.
2. Electric Six Goal Thriller at the Camp Nou sees Dumfries and Yamal shine
A Champions League semi-final first leg for the ages unfolded on Wednesday night as Barcelona and Inter Milan battled to a breathtaking 3–3 draw at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
The captivating encounter was ignited within the first minute, courtesy of Marcus Thuram’s record-breaking early strike, the fastest ever seen in a Champions League semi-final.
Despite falling behind, a resilient Barcelona, spearheaded by the brilliance of young sensation Lamine Yamal, twice clawed their way back to ensure the return leg next week will commence with the tie finely balanced.
The drama began almost immediately as Thuram exquisitely flicked home Denzel Dumfries’ cross from the right flank, leaving the home crowd stunned and treble-chasing Barcelona reeling within the opening 30 seconds.
Barcelona responded with sustained pressure, with both Yamal and Ferran Torres threatening the Inter goal. However, it was Dumfries who once again made his mark, this time as a scorer, acrobatically converting Francesco Acerbi’s headed knockdown in the 21st minute to double Inter’s advantage.
Yet, Inter’s two-goal cushion proved short-lived. Just three minutes later, the electrifying Yamal weaved his way through a cluster of defenders before unleashing a sublime left-footed curler that nestled into the net off the post, marking his 100th Barcelona appearance in spectacular fashion.
The gifted youngster, who had overcome a pre-match injury scare, continued to torment the Inter defense. Moments after his goal, Yamal left Federico Dimarco trailing, but his audacious attempt from a tight angle was expertly tipped onto the crossbar by Yann Sommer.
Barcelona’s persistence paid off in the 38th minute when Raphinha, delivering his eighth Champions League assist of the season, headed Pedri’s cross into the path of Ferran Torres, who gleefully tapped home the equalizer.
Following the interval and the loss of Lautaro Martinez to injury, Inter regained the lead against the run of play in the 63rd minute. Dumfries rose highest to head in Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner, seemingly swinging the momentum back in the Italian side’s favor.
However, Barcelona’s fighting spirit remained undimmed. Within a mere 114 seconds, they struck back. Raphinha’s powerful first-time shot cannoned off the post and agonizingly deflected into the net off the unfortunate Sommer.
The pulsating encounter continued with further drama. Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a potential Inter winner ruled out for a marginal offside, and Yamal struck the crossbar once more in the dying moments. Ultimately, Inter held on to secure a 3–3 draw in a truly remarkable first leg, leaving everything to play for in the return fixture at the San Siro for a place in the final in Munich.
