Arsenal to face PSG in Champions League final as Parisiens beat Bayern in pulsating semi-final
Paris St Germain will play Arsenal in the Champions League final after they drew 1-1 with Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena to seal a 6-5 aggregate semi-final victory.
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After the astonishing first leg in Paris a week ago that saw the European champions triumph by the odd goal in nine, this was a more measured but no less fascinating affair, Ousmane Dembele’s goal in the third minute giving the visitors a two-goal advantage in the tie.
At that stage, it looked like another explosive night of attacking fluidity was in store, but Bayern could not rediscover the threat that saw them reel PSG in from 5-2 to 5-4 in the Parc des Princes.
Harry Kane scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to set up a nervous finale, but Bayern had left themselves insufficient time to seriously unsettle the visitors from Paris.
Luis Enrique’s side had looked most likely to add to their tally and put the semi-final beyond all doubt, Manuel Neuer performing heroics to just about keep Bayern’s hopes alive until the end.
In the end, the holders needed nothing further to book their place alongside Mikel Arteta’s side in Budapest on May 30.
Arsenal qualified for their first Champions League final in 20 years after a narrow 2-1 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the second leg, after a 1-1 draw in Madrid left the Gunners with work to do in north London.
Arteta hailed his “incredible” players for “making history” after they secured their place in Budapest.
He said: “It was an incredible night. We made history again together and I cannot be happier and prouder for everybody that’s involved in this football club.
“The supporters were with us for every ball. They made it special and unique, and I have never felt it like that in this stadium.
“We knew how much it meant to everybody, we put everything on the line, the boys did an incredible job and after 20 years, and the second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final.”
The final will be held in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30.