Paris St-Germain vs Bayern Munich: A record-breaking semi-final – the antidote to modern football?

The tone was set for a blinding European encounter when each units of followers unfurled big tifos earlier than kick-off – PSG’s was emblazoned with the phrases ‘the conquest of Europe’, whereas the guests’ banner urged their facet to ‘give the whole lot’.

In a chaotic opening 45 minutes on the Parc des Princes, either side did simply that.

It was becoming the 2 top-scoring sides within the Champions League this season put 5 targets on the scoreboard in a mesmerising, end-to-end opening interval.

Harry Kane’s penalty was cancelled out by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s medical end, earlier than Joao Neves’ glancing header and Michael Olise’s second of particular person brilliance left the perimeters stage.

Many will recommend the PSG penalty, awarded after Bayern defender Alphonso Davies was deemed to have dealt with an Ousmane Dembele cross within the field, was harsh. Dembele calmly transformed to present PSG a 3-2 lead on the break.

However the controversial incident was finally overshadowed by what pundits known as one of many biggest halves of soccer they’d ever witnessed.

Former England captain Alan Shearer stated on Amazon Prime: “I am unable to cease smiling at how open and bonkers this sport is.

“It is one of many biggest video games I’ve ever been to. Two groups that imagine in their very own means to outscore their opponent.”

The chaos continued after the break with PSG constructing a three-goal cushion, once more by Kvaratskhelia and Dembele, leaving some to surprise if the result had been settled.

However Bayern had been unwilling to let the prospect of a primary Champions League title since 2020 get away from them as they fought again in fearsome trend.

Objectives from Dayot Upamecano and Diaz had been met with shocked silence from the house followers and no additional response from the PSG gamers because the hosts completed with a slim benefit.

“I’ve been managing for greater than 15 years, and I’ve to say it was probably the most thrilling [match],” added Luis Enrique.

“You will need to present that that’s the approach to attempt to play soccer. OK, we aren’t completely happy as a coach while you concede 4 targets, however I am completely happy as a result of we gained.”

It was the primary time in any main European semi-final that either side had scored at the very least 4 targets, and simply the second time in a Champions League knockout match after Chelsea and Liverpool drew 4-4 within the 2008-09 quarter-final.

With PSG netting 43 targets and Bayern 42, it was additionally the primary time two groups have every scored greater than 40 occasions in a Champions League marketing campaign.