Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) advanced to the Club World Cup semi-finals on Saturday, defeating Bayern Munich 2-0 in a gripping match despite finishing with nine men.
Goals from Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele secured the win for the European champions.
The match, held at the air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium, was an intense affair between two attacking, high-pressing teams.
Bayern, who had previously won their last four encounters against PSG, suffered a significant blow when playmaker Jamal Musiala sustained a gruesome ankle injury just before halftime.
Key Moments and Red Cards Define Tense Clash
Both sides exchanged early chances, with PSG’s Desire Doue firing wide and Gianluigi Donnarumma making key saves for PSG against Michael Olise.
Bayern’s Manuel Neuer also produced an excellent stop from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. England captain Harry Kane came close for Bayern with a header.
The emotional game began with a minute of silence for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who tragically died in a car crash. This was particularly poignant for PSG, which fields five Portuguese players.
The breakthrough came when 20-year-old Desire Doue capitalised on a Harry Kane giveaway, firing a low strike home at the near post.
The drama intensified in the final minutes as PSG defenders Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez were both sent off for high tackles and an elbow, respectively.
Despite being two men down, Dembele sealed the victory for PSG, tucking home after an Achraf Hakimi run and paying tribute to Jota with a gaming-inspired celebration.
PSG will now face either Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals on Wednesday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
