Ousmane Dembele’s eighth Champions League goal of the season gave Paris Saint-Germain a semi-final first-leg win at Arsenal and left the Gunners with a daunting task in the decider at the Parc des Princes next Wednesday.
France striker Dembele pounced after four minutes, finding the far corner of the net with a first-time finish from just outside the box on the left as part of a neat exchange with winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
WHAT A STRIKE FROM OUSMANE DEMBELE 💥
PSG go ahead quickly at the Emirates thanks to the Frenchman’s goal#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/hZe3vSLIhO
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 29, 2025
Home goalkeeper David Raya made a sharp save to stop Desire Doue from doubling Paris’ lead before Fabian Ruiz struck a post as part of a move that was offside, and Paris number one Gianluigi Donnarumma turned strikes by Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard away in one-on-one situations either side of the break.
Arsenal intensified their pressure and thought they had equalised with their first opportunity of the second half when Mikel Merino headed in Declan Rice’s free-kick, only for the Spain international to be ruled offside following a lengthy Video Assistant Referee review.
Relive the action from Arsenal vs PSG with our live commentary as it happened
Arsenal vs PSG: Donnarumma outstanding again
Donnarumma has been in inspired form during PSG’s campaign, intervening in heroic fashion on several occasions during their knockout-stage wins over Liverpool and Aston Villa.
The Italy international’s side looked comfortable for much of the first half before Donnarumma was called to the rescue to thwart Martinelli when the forward broke clear to reach Myles Lewis-Skelly’s pass on the stroke of half-time.
Only another outstanding stop from Donnarumma denied Mikel Arteta’s side shortly afterwards, tipping Leandro Trossard’s strike around a post after Declan Rice had surged towards the box and supplied the forward with a diagonal pass, but the visitors almost scored a second late on.
Champions League: Barcola, Ramos go close
Bradley Barcola should have hit the target when the substitute rolled a shot wide with only Raya to beat, and Goncalo Ramos then blasted an effort against the crossbar from a similar position inside the box on the right.
Paris have not been invincible at home in their campaign, losing by a goal at home to Atletico Madrid during the league phase and Liverpool in the last 16, but this was an impressive away display that has put them in a commanding position.
The winners of the tie will advance to a final against Barcelona or Inter, who play the first leg of their semi-final on Wednesday (20:00 BST).
PSG, Arsenal fixtures
PSG, who have already won Ligue 1, are next in action at home to seventh-placed Strasbourg on Saturday (16:00).
Arsenal host Bournemouth on the same day (17:30), starting with a five-point advantage over third-placed Newcastle.
