PSG Defeat Liverpool 2-0 to Reach Third Consecutive Champions League Semi-Final

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield on Tuesday, completing a 4-0 aggregate victory to advance to the Champions League semi-finals for the third consecutive season under head coach Luis Enrique. Ousmane Dembélé, the reigning 2025 Ballon d'Or winner, scored both goals — the first in the 73rd minute from outside the box on a clinical counter-attack, and the second in the 90th-plus-second minute to seal the result. Liverpool, managed by Arne Slot, pushed hard for the opening goal that would have changed the complexion of the tie but could not find a way past PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov. The French champions, who had won the first leg 2-0 at the Parc des Princes, were never seriously threatened despite sustained Liverpool pressure for long stretches of the match. PSG will now face the winner of the Bayern Munich versus Real Madrid quarter-final, with the first leg of that tie ending 2-1, in the semi-finals on April 28 and May 6.

Liverpool knocked out PSG in the 2019 Champions League round of 16 in a memorable two-legged tie. PSG eliminated Liverpool in the round of 16 the previous season as well, making this the second consecutive year the French club has ended Liverpool's European campaign. The 2019 comeback against Barcelona at Anfield, referenced in multiple reports, remains a benchmark for famous European nights at the ground. PSG have now reached the Champions League final four in each of Luis Enrique's three seasons in charge.

Dembélé punishes Liverpool after rescinded penalty Liverpool's best chance of altering the tie came in the 66th minute when referee Maurizio Mariani awarded a penalty for a foul on Alexis Mac Allister, only to reverse the decision after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor following a VAR review. The reversal proved decisive in the flow of the match, as PSG absorbed the pressure and struck on the counter-attack just seven minutes later through Dembélé. Arne Slot had made changes at half-time, introducing Joe Gomez and Cody Gakpo — the latter replacing the ineffective Alexander Isak — and Liverpool did build genuine momentum in the early second half. Seventeen-year-old substitute Rio Ngumoha, introduced for the final quarter of the game, drew a fine save from Safonov and gave Liverpool a brief spark of hope. But Dembélé's first goal effectively ended the tie as a contest, and his second in stoppage time confirmed a 2-0 scoreline identical to the first leg.

„Champions League nights are always special, especially in our stadium” — Florian Wirtz via N-tv

Injuries disrupt both sides throughout the match The match was marked by a series of injury disruptions on both sides. Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike went down holding his heel in the 30th minute and had to be substituted, with Mohamed Salah — who had started on the bench — coming on as his replacement. Salah made an immediate impact, crossing for Ibrahima Konaté whose header forced a save from Safonov, before Marquinhos made a goal-saving block to deny Virgil van Dijk. PSG also suffered injury losses during the match, with Nuno Mendes and Désiré Doué both leaving the field. Liverpool's starting lineup featured high-profile 2025 signings Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Ekitike, though none of the three were able to make a decisive contribution before Isak was withdrawn at half-time and Ekitike departed injured. 4 (goals) — PSG's aggregate margin of victory over Liverpool

PSG await Bayern or Real Madrid in the last four PSG's qualification continues a remarkable run of consistency under Luis Enrique, who has guided the club to the Ligue 1 club's third successive Champions League semi-final appearance. According to Le Parisien, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid — whichever advances from their quarter-final — will know they face the defending European champion in the semi-finals. Liverpool's elimination adds to a difficult season for the club, which sits fifth in the Premier League, according to N-tv, with pressure mounting on Slot following the exit. PSG's Safonov was central to keeping the scoreline level during the long period of Liverpool dominance between the 30th and 70th minutes, making several key saves to preserve the clean sheet. Dembélé's brace was his latest statement performance in a season in which the French forward has established himself as the continent's most dangerous attacker.

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Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain