PSG edges closer to Champions League final as Arsenal struggles, holding a narrow 1-0 advantage.
Paris Saint-Germain Holds the Advantage in prepare for the Return Match
Paris Saint-Germain is poised to advance further in the Champions League following their 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the semi-final first leg. The winning goal was scored by Ousmane Dembélé in the 4th minute, delivering a tough challenge for Arsenal to overturn the deficit in the return leg on May 25.
London witnessed Dembélé's brilliance as a central striker under Luis Enrique. Dembélé, who has proven his mettle in this position since joining PSG, notched his 33rd goal of the season.
Arsenal started the match strong but seemed to lose steam in the second half, frustrating their hopes of a comeback. In the early phases, both teams showcased promising moments with Paris Saint-Germain narrowly escaping a possible equalizer thanks to a last-ditch tackle by João Neves on Mikel Merino.
PSG's youngster Desire Doué had the first half-chance for an Arsenal equalizer, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper David Raya. However, the pressure eventually subsided, leaving the score unchanged at halftime.
The second half saw both teams continue to battle fiercely, with PSG approaching their rhythm again. Bench addition Bradley Barcola narrowly missed the chance to double Paris' lead, while Goncalo Ramos came close to scoring later in the game, hitting the crossbar with a great opportunity.
Arsenal found it difficult to create chances, with Martinelli's final effort going high into the night sky, confirming Paris Saint-Germain's victory in six competitive meetings since 2022. PSG is now positioned to eliminate a third Premier League club in a row, following their victories over Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Enrichment insights:
Ousmane Dembélé's Evolution as a Central Striker
Ousmane Dembélé's transition from a winger to a central striker has been a remarkable evolution in his career. Known for his speed and dribbling skills, Dembélé showcases increased goal-scoring prowess in this new role under coach Luis Enrique.
Dembélé began his career at Rennes, gaining recognition for his potential in France's Ligue 1. He faced inconsistency and injuries during his time at Barcelona but found renewed success in PSG's ranks. Enrique's tactical switch allowed Dembélé to capitalize on his talents, resulting in impressive goal-scoring statistics.
In early 2025, Dembélé scored 21 goals in just three months, earning him the spot as one of Europe's top scorers during that period. His creativity and unpredictability have earned praise from football legends like Ronaldinho, who highlighted his "Brazilian style" on the pitch.
To this day, Dembéalé continues to excel as a central striker for PSG, playing a crucial role in high-pressure matches like the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal.
- With Ousmane Dembélé's 4th-minute goal, Paris Saint-Germain aims to eliminate Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final return match on May 25.
- Dembélé, who joined PSG and shifted into a central striker role, notched his 33rd goal of the season in their 1-0 victory over Arsenal.
- Arsenal's hopes for a comeback seemed to dwindle in the second half of the match, while PSG looked poised to advance further into the European leagues.
- Despite a challenging attempt by Arsenal's Desire Doué in the first half, PSG held on to their lead and successfully fended off their opponents in the Champions League semi-final.
- Should PSG eliminate Arsenal, it would mark their third consecutive victory over a Premier League club in Champions League competition, following their recent successes over Liverpool and Aston Villa.
