Ousmanne Dembele’s early goal was enough to lead Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) semi-final encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
The French winger netted the only goal of the match less than five minutes into the exhilarating, tactical battle to hand PSG a major advantage over Arsenal going into the second leg.
PSG took the lead with a well-worked team move finished by Dembele in the fourth minute. The French midfielder received a pass from the back, drove into the heart of midfield and found Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the wing before sprinting to the edge of the box, where he swept in Kvaratskhelia’s cutback into the net via the base of the post for 1-0 to the French champions.
Luis Enrique’s visiting side continued to dominate possession and create the better openings, with Marquinhos heading Achraf Hakimi’s cross straight into the hands of David Raya, Arsenal goalkeeper. Desire Doue also saw his low effort saved by Raya before Arsenal regained composure in the closing stages.
Mikel Arteta’s men tested PSG through Leandro Trossard’s acrobatic flick that Gianluigi Donnarumma easily gathered, before the Italian goalkeeper expertly batted away Gabriel Martinelli’s curling shot heading for the far post, preserving PSG’s one-goal lead at the interval.
Arsenal came flying out of the traps in the second half and had the ball in the net through Mikel Merino’s header from a free-kick, but the versatile Spaniard was adjudged offside after a VAR review, and the goal was chalked off. Donnarumma again denied Arsenal with a smart low save, this time denying Trossard from finding the far post as Arsenal fans roared the rejuvenated players on.
Still, Mikel Arteta’s side could not find the back of the net, and their desperation led to two gilt-edged opportunities spurned by PSG late on. Bradley Barcola’s shot went wide when put through on goal, and Gonçalo Ramos could only hit the crossbar.
Arsenal continued to try but were unable to create another chance, and PSG saw out a deserved victory away from home, allowing them the opportunity of sealing passage to a second UCL final appearance in the return leg next week.(The Cable)
