April 15, (THEWILL) — Paris Saint-Germain have reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals after defeating Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield, with Ousmane Dembele scoring twice to seal a commanding 4-0 aggregate triumph.
Liverpool bore the considerable weight of a two-goal first-leg deficit and began with purpose. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia forced his Georgian compatriot, Giorgi Mamardashvili, into an early stop, while Matvey Safonov gathered comfortably from returnee, Alexander Isak’s corner-headed attempt. Mamardashvili later came off his line to deal with an overhit delivery but could only punch clear a Dembele chip struck from 25 yards.
An injury in the 30th minute brought Hugo Ekitike’s evening to an end. Mohamed Salah arrived from the bench and swiftly threatened, crossing for Milos Kerkez, whose shot was turned away brilliantly by Safonov. Marquinhos then cleared Virgil van Dijk’s effort off the line. Kerkez went narrowly wide after the interval from another Salah delivery, and a VAR review subsequently overturned referee Maurizio Mariani’s initial penalty award, nullifying what had appeared to be a foul by Willian Pacho on Alexis Mac Allister.
Substitute Rio Ngumoha drew a strong low stop from Safonov, but the tie was settled in the 72nd minute when Dembele curled a superb effort into the net from the edge of the area.
Liverpool continued to push for consolation but were caught on the counter in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time. Bradley Barcola cut the ball back from the left and Dembele finished to complete a decisive Parisian victory.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
