PSG eliminates Arsenal and qualifies for the Champions League final
The team of Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, João Neves and Gonçalo Ramos will face Inter Milan on May 31st, in Munich.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal 2-1 on Wednesday in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals. With Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and João Neves in the starting eleven, the Parisians opened the scoring through Fábian Ruiz in the 27th minute, and increased their lead in the 72nd through Hakimi.
In between, Vitinha still missed a penalty and Donnaruma put in another great performance with a handful of great saves.
Trailing in the tie, the Gunners started the match strongly, creating two great chances within the first five minutes; first Declan Rice headed narrowly wide and then Donnaruma denied Martinelli with a great save.
The Italian goalkeeper was once again in the spotlight, now stopping a powerful shot from Martin Odegaard with a fantastic save.
The English had more of the ball and pushed PSG into the final third, but the French champions gradually began to balance the match, taking advantage of their opponents’ advance to make quick transitions; in the 16th minute, Kvaratskhelia came from the left into the middle and curled a shot, hitting the post of Raya’s goal.
A few minutes later, a poor pass from Saliba created a very dangerous move for the Arsenal goalkeepers, but Désiré Doué was unable to take advantage of it, after a combination with Barcola.
However, the Parisians would end up opening the scoring in the 27th minute; an incomplete clearance by the Arsenal defence after a free kick, with the ball falling to Fabián Ruiz who, at the edge of the area, took an opponent out of the way and fired a real missile into the back of David Raya’s net.
Two minutes later and PSG were very close to a second; a quick exit and Kvaratskhelia isolated Barcola, who, one-on-one with Raya, allowed the Spanish goalkeeper to save.
In the second half, Arsenal lost some of their sparkle, and allowed Paris Saint-Germain to take control of the match, giving their opponents fewer attacking opportunities.
But as the clock ticked down, the Londoners pressed forward again and came close to equalising in the 63rd minute, but Bukayo Saka’s curling shot forced Donnaruma into another fantastic save.
Practically in the next play, the Parisians had a clear opportunity to increase their lead, after referee Félix Zwayer signalled a penalty for Timber’s handball inside the area. From the eleven-meter mark, Vitinha ended up allowing Raya to save.
However, PSG’s second goal would eventually arrive. 72 minutes in and Dembélé served Hakimi in a forward position, and the Moroccan struck powerfully for the Parisians’ second.
Despite the bigger disadvantage, Arsenal managed to react and reduced the deficit four minutes later; Trossard won the ball to Marquinhos who, in the heart of the area, managed to get past Donnaruma and make it 2-1.
The England international had everything he needed to make it 2-2 in the 79th minute after a cross from Trossard, but ended up missing when he had the goal completely at his disposal.
This is the second time that Paris Saint-Germain has reached the Champions League final, after having been present in the decisive game of the 2019/2020 edition, played at the Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon.
The Parisians will face Inter Milan, who eliminated FC Barcelona last Tuesday.
