Our Reporter, Abuja
Paris Saint-Germain produced a stunning attacking display to defeat Bayern Munich 5-4 in a breathtaking UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg clash at the Parc des Princes.
The encounter, widely anticipated as a potential classic, more than lived up to expectations as both sides traded blows in an electrifying nine-goal spectacle. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele were the standout performers, each scoring twice to give the French champions a slender advantage ahead of the return leg.
Bayern started on the front foot and took the lead in the 17th minute when Harry Kane converted from the penalty spot after a foul on Luis Diaz. However, PSG responded swiftly, with Kvaratskhelia dazzling past his marker before slotting home the equaliser.
The hosts then went ahead just after the half-hour mark as Joao Neves nodded in from Dembele’s corner. Bayern levelled again through a powerful strike from Michael Olise, but PSG regained the lead before halftime when Dembele converted a controversial penalty awarded for handball against Alphonso Davies.
After the break, PSG appeared to take control as Kvaratskhelia and Dembele both finished off swift counter-attacks to extend the lead. Yet, defensive lapses kept Bayern firmly in contention, with Dayot Upamecano and Diaz finding the net to reduce the deficit.
Despite Bayern’s late surge, PSG held on to secure a narrow but crucial first-leg advantage, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the decisive return fixture in Germany.
