The defending champion was ahead 5-2 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final, which would have practically meant leaving the tie decided, but Dayot Upamecano and the Colombian Luis Díaz commanded the reaction of the Bavarians, who after the final 5-4 will have their options alive in the return leg at the Allianz Arena.
First modification: 04/29/2026 - 02:09
Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich 5-4 in a thrilling first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on 28 April, breaking the record for goals in this stage of the competition.
In a match that will go down in history as an instant classic, PSG came back from a goal down to go 5-2 up with two goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé, before Bayern scored twice in three minutes just before the hour mark, improving their chances for next week's second leg in Munich.
The match pitted the most offensive teams in this season's Champions League and quickly lived up to expectations with a relentless pace, with Bayern coach Vincent Kompany in the stands, serving a suspension, and his assistant, Aaron Danks, on the bench.
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"They were two teams that looked for the attack and did not question themselves," said Dembélé, chosen as best player of the match. "These are the semi-finals of the Champions League. We are happy with the result, despite winning 5-2."
"We stopped playing a little at the end. Bayern is a top team. It was an incredible match, and now we will go to Munich with the hope of achieving victory to qualify for the final," said the winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or.
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A duel of many alternatives
Harry Kane converted a penalty in the 17th minute to beat PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov and become the first English player to score in six consecutive Champions League games. The England captain then played a pinpoint pass to Michael Olise, but his close-range shot was cleared off the goal line.
The hosts should have equalized when Dembélé stood alone in front of the goalkeeper, but his shot went wide in the 23rd minute. Kvaratskhelia did much better with a characteristic move and a low shot after entering the area.
Bayern hit the post after a solo run by Olise and his deflected pass, but it was PSG who scored again in the 33rd minute with a header from Joao Neves.
The first half still held a lot of drama, as Olise redeemed himself from his previous mistake and equalized for Bayern with a shot in the 41st minute after having too much space in the area.
PSG were then awarded a penalty in stoppage time and Dembélé beat Manuel Neuer with a powerful shot to put his team back in front.
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"At the end of the day, it's only 1-0"
PSG picked up where they left off after the break and took a two-goal lead when Kvaratskhelia finished powerfully in the 56th minute; and before Bayern had time to recover, the French team struck again, this time with Dembélé beating Neuer once again with a low shot that bounced off the post two minutes later.
The hosts seemed to be taking the game, but Bayern refused to give up and responded with two goals in three minutes, by Dayot Upamecano and Luis Díaz, which considerably improved their chances for the second leg in Munich.
PSG's Senny Mayulu hit the post in the 86th minute as both teams maintained a frenetic pace until the final whistle.
"Even though we lost the game, we showed what kind of team we are and that we know how to overcome setbacks," said Bayern defender Jonathan Tah.
"At the end of the day, it's only 1-0. We know we can win by two goals at home. We are confident and we will give everything next week to reach the final," he promised.
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With Reuters
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