Paris Saint-Germain pulled off a dramatic comeback to eliminate Liverpool and secure a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals, winning 4-1 on penalties after a 1-0 second-leg victory at Anfield.
Liverpool had never lost a European tie after winning the first leg away, but Ousmane Dembélé’s early goal brought the aggregate score to 1-1, setting the stage for a tense battle. When the match remained deadlocked after extra time, PSG held their nerve in the shootout, converting all four of their penalties, while Gianluigi Donnarumma saved attempts from Darwin Núñez and Curtis Jones.
PSG boss Luis Enrique, who had declared before the match that the winner would likely reach the final, hailed his team’s character, stating, “Both teams deserved to go through, but my players showed great personality at Anfield.” PSG will now face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the last eight.
Liverpool Left to Regret Missed Chances
Liverpool’s failure to capitalise on key moments proved costly. They nearly took an early lead when Alexis Mac Allister’s cross found Mohamed Salah, but Nuno Mendes deflected the Egyptian’s shot over the bar.
PSG, however, grew into the game and struck first in the 12th minute when Ibrahima Konaté inadvertently redirected Bradley Barcola’s cross into the path of Dembélé, who slotted home easily. The French winger, in red-hot form, now has 23 goals in his last 17 games.
Liverpool responded with an energetic second-half display, seeing Dominik Szoboszlai’s goal ruled out for offside, while Donnarumma denied Luis Díaz and blocked another effort from Szoboszlai. Substitute Jarell Quansah came agonisingly close to winning it for the hosts, but his header struck the inside of the post.
PSG created late chances in extra time, with Lucas Beraldo and Désiré Doué going close, but Liverpool clung on for penalties.
Donnarumma the Hero in the Shootout
When the spot-kicks arrived, Donnarumma outshone his counterpart Alisson, diving superbly to keep out efforts from Núñez and Jones. Meanwhile, PSG’s penalty takers—Vitinha, Gonçalo Ramos, Dembélé, and Doué—were flawless, sending the French side into the quarter-finals in style.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot admitted his team’s luck ran out, saying, “Over 90 minutes, we didn’t deserve to lose, but over 180 minutes, maybe it was fair.”
For PSG, this victory represents a significant statement of intent as they continue their push for a first-ever Champions League title.
Ousmane Dembele’s strike gave PSG a 1-0 win on the night to level the tie on aggregate, before visiting goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma performed heroics by saving penalties from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones in the shoot-out.
