Borussia Dortmund secured their spot in the UEFA Champions League final with a 2-0 aggregate victory over Paris Saint-Germain, courtesy of Mats Hummels’ winning goal in the second leg on Tuesday night. Rising highest from a second-half corner, the defender netted to give the Bundesliga club a 1-0 victory for the evening. PSG, despite hitting the woodwork six times over both legs, failed to overturn the deficit.
A second-half header by the impressive Mats Hummels sealed a 1-0 victory and a 2-0 aggregate triumph for Borussia Dortmund over a lacklustre Paris Saint-Germain. The hosts struck the woodwork four times during the match and six times across the tie, but the Bundesliga’s fifth-placed team dominated comfortably over the two legs. Dortmund will now face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final at Wembley Stadium to determine the European champions, a rematch of the 2013 final where Bayern Munich emerged victorious.
While the pre-match atmosphere hinted at an intense start from the home side, PSG struggled to gain momentum, and Dortmund’s defensive solidity and swift counter-attacks kept them at bay. Dortmund came closest to extending their lead, with Karim Adeyemi forcing a decent save from Gianluigi Donnarumma in the first half’s standout moment. Despite Warren Zaire-Emery hitting the post early in the second half, Dortmund remained dominant, and Hummels’ powerful header at the back post in the 50th minute sealed the deal.
Although PSG increased the tempo afterward, hitting the bar and post on three more occasions, Dortmund, led by Hummels and the equally impressive Nico Schlotterbeck, maintained control and deservedly secured a victory, crediting Edin Terzic’s tactical acumen.
Kylian Mbappe’s potential departure from his hometown club without winning the Champions League contrasts with Dortmund’s confidence in concluding their remarkable cup run. Regardless of their opponent in the final, an exciting encounter awaits.
Paris Saint-Germain’s recurring struggles in the Champions League have been a long-standing issue, often overshadowing their own failings. However, this time, they were outplayed by a more experienced opponent, who executed their game plan flawlessly. The squad, comprised of younger players assembled at great expense, suffered defeat to a seasoned outfit, raising questions about their manager Luis Enrique’s future.
Despite ample opportunities to secure victory, PSG’s fate now hinges on the wise investment of the Mbappe transfer funds, a responsibility Enrique has just about earned.
