New Delhi: Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma exemplary glovework and timely strikes from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi took Paris Saint-Germain to their second Champions League final, with 2-1 win over Arsenal on the second leg of their semi-finas for a 3-1 aggregate victory over two legs.
PSG had won 1-0 in London a week ago and went down in the second leg as Bukayo Saka’s goal was unable to spark a late comeback from them.
Arsenal’s intention to score was evident in the early phase as Declan Rice leapt high to head Jurrien Timber’s third-minute cross agonisingly wide.
Donnarumma hen brought out his best form as his quick-silver reflexes denied Gabriel Martinelli’s effort from a Thomas Partey long throw, and Martin Odegaard’s low shot.
PSG gradually got a hold of the proceedings, as produced their first attacking threat cutting in from the left and curling an effort onto the right post.
Ten minutes later, midfielder Fabián Ruiz put them 1-0 up, with a deft chest controlling the ball and then a left-footed volley into the right corner after deflection off William Saliba.
Arsenal’s influence in the action had waned by this time and Donnarumma’s fingertips denied Bukaya Sako’s curler to sneak in into the far post and their frustrations increased when a penalty was offered to PAG for a handball offence by Myles Lewis-Skelly.
But Vitinha squandered the golden opportunity with a weak effort as David Rya dived to his left to collect the penalty. But it was a temporary repreived as Achraf Hakimi curled in his effort on 72 minutes to increase the aggregate lead to three goals.
Saka pushed in Leandro Trossard’s low cross four minutes later to give a glimmer of hope but it was all Arsenal could do.
“Seeing my team perform like this against one of the best sides in Europe fills me with so much pride. What we’ve done here against Paris is remarkable. If we want to win it, what do we need to do to unlock that door? Sometimes you have to applaud the opposition,” Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said
PSG coach Luis Enrique said: “I think in terms of passion and intensity, the match didn’t disappoint. Arsenal came to win; the first half it was them that turned the game in their favour. We suffered as Arsenal, who play well with and without the ball, caused us problems.”
PSG held off Arsenal 2-1 in their Champions League second leg semi-final to advance 3-1 on aggregate and will face Inter Milan in the final. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
