Paris St-Germain came out on top in a nine-goal thriller against Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes to take a slim advantage in their Champions League semi-final.
Five goals were scored in a breathless first half before the mayhem continued in the second period when holders PSG began to pull away, opening up a three-goal lead.
But Bayern, already crowned Bundesliga champions and pushing for a Treble, cut the deficit to one to set up a scintillating second leg in Munich.
As the two top-scoring sides in the competition this year, it was only fitting that the buoyant crowd were treated to such an impressive display of attacking talent in a high-quality encounter.
Having fallen behind to Harry Kane’s penalty after Luis Diaz drew a foul from William Pacho, PSG showcased their threat to take the lead.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia picked up the ball on the left-hand side and cut onto his right foot to superbly guide a shot into the bottom far corner before Joao Neves’ glancing header gave the holders the lead.
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But a moment of individual brilliance from Michael Olise, jinking past players before hammering the ball beyond Matvey Safonov, put the visitors back on level terms.
It seemed a blistering first half would be level at the break but PSG were awarded a controversial penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Alphonso Davies was deemed to have handled the ball in the box.
Referee Sandro Scharer was sent to the monitor and subsequently awarded what appeared to be a harsh spot-kick, the ball bouncing off Davies’ leg and onto his arm before Ousmane Dembele coolly converted.
Bayern returned from the break determined to at least restore parity but were, at times, naive as the French side took control.
Kvaratskhelia converted from Achraf Hakimi’s dangerous ball before Dembele netted his second at the near post to give the hosts a three-goal cushion.
Dayot Upamecano’s flicked finish six minutes later was greeted only as a consolation but Diaz’s finish into the far corner from Kane’s brilliant pass ensured Bayern are still in the tie with the return leg taking place on Wednesday, 6 May.
The winners will face Arsenal or Atletico Madrid, who play in Wednesday’s semi-final, in the final in Budapest.
BBC
