Paris Saint-Germain took another major step in their quest to retain the UEFA Champions League title, the most prestigious competition in European club football. The defending champions advanced to the semi-finals after a commanding 4-0 aggregate victory over six-time winners Liverpool FC.
PSG sealed their progress with a 2-0 win in the second leg at Anfield on Tuesday, eliminating Liverpool for the second consecutive season in the knockout stages.
“It’s difficult to retain the Champions League. We know that. But we’re here again and we have to seize this opportunity,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique after the match.
Dembélé the Match-Winner
The standout performer on the night was Ousmane Dembélé. The 2025 Ballon d’Or winner delivered when it mattered most, scoring twice in the second half to extinguish any hopes of a Liverpool comeback.
Dembélé opened the scoring in the 72nd minute with a stunning left-footed strike from outside the box that nestled into the bottom corner. He then doubled PSG’s lead in added time, finishing off a brilliant team move from close range.
Having faced criticism for missed chances in the first leg and earlier in the match, the forward responded emphatically when it counted most.
“We are very happy to win this match,” Dembélé said post-game. “It was very difficult, especially in the second half, but we found a way. Being in the semi-finals is a great feeling.”
Defensive Resilience
Despite the scoreline, Liverpool had their opportunities. Early in the match, Hugo Ekitike suffered an injury setback, while Virgil van Dijk came close to scoring in the first half, only to be denied by a crucial last-ditch block from Marquinhos.
“For a defender, moments like this are more important than scoring a goal,” Marquinhos said. “I saw Van Dijk coming, so I threw myself. These little moments make the difference.”
Liverpool thought they had a lifeline in the second half when referee Maurizio Mariani awarded a penalty following a challenge involving Alexis Mac Allister and William Pacho. However, the decision was overturned after a VAR review, leaving the home crowd frustrated.
History Within Reach
With this victory, PSG extended their unbeaten run in the knockout stages to nine matches and made history by becoming the first French club to reach the Champions League semi-finals in three consecutive seasons. Winning back-to-back Champions League titles remains one of the toughest feats in modern football. The last team to achieve it was Real Madrid, who famously won three consecutive titles between 2016 and 2018. Now, PSG crowned European champions for the first time last season, stand on the brink of joining that elite company. Their next opponent will be Bayern Munich in the semifinals.
Luis Enrique added, “It’s a great pleasure to see my team perform at such a high level, regardless of the opponent. We have great players, we have confidence—now we must enjoy this experience and keep going.”
The usually electric atmosphere at Anfield failed to inspire a comeback, as PSG supporters made their presence felt throughout the night. Liverpool struggled to generate sustained momentum, and PSG’s control ensured a comfortable passage to the semi-finals. With confidence high and history within reach, PSG now move one step closer to achieving a rare and remarkable Champions League triumph.
