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Paris Saint-Germain 0-1 Bayern Munich (3-3 agg, PSG win on away-goals rule): Champions given the Flick-off

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting gave Bayern Munich victory on the night, but their Champions League title defence ended in Paris against PSG.

By John Skilbeck
Neymar

Paris, April 14: Paris Saint-Germain took their revenge as they reached the semi-finals of the Champions League at the expense of last year's winners Bayern Munich, losing 1-0 on the night but sneaking through on away goals.

A dazzling first-half performance from Neymar could have seen the Brazilian score a hat-trick for PSG before the break, but for brilliance from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and two shots against the Bayern woodwork.

It therefore became worrying for the hosts, who were beaten by Bayern in the 2019-20 final, when Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting nudged the visitors ahead at the Parc des Princes and back to 3-3 on aggregate in the 40th minute.

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But Bayern were without their injured talisman Robert Lewandowski and head coach Hansi Flick could have used his immense goal threat as the Bundesliga side chased the second goal they needed, ultimately without avail.

Neuer had to save well from Neymar in the early stages after Kylian Mbappe's run down the left and cut-back caused Bayern's defence to panic.

The goalkeeper made his second huge save from Neymar in the 27th minute when Mbappe's clever pass found the Brazilian 12 yards from goal, with the goalkeeper charging out to block brilliantly.

A third followed when Neymar showed quick feet on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a blistering left-footed effort. Neymar then curled a delicious shot against the bar and moments later hit the foot of the right post from Mbappe's pass.

Yet entirely against the run of play, Choupo-Moting headed Bayern ahead. Keylor Navas was only able to parry a tame shot from David Alaba, and Choupo-Moting was alert to reach the ball first and nod over the line.

PSG raced forward to thrilling effect early in the second half, with Kylian Mbappe feeding Angel Di Maria to the right of goal, and the Argentinian's prod beyond Neuer and across goal was agonisingly out of the reach of the stretching Neymar as an empty goal beckoned.

Navas did well to thwart Thomas Muller just after the hour as Bayern, heading out on the away-goals rule, looked for the strike that would put them ahead in the tie.

They continued to forage, but whereas a 1-0 win over the Parisians was enough for glory last August in Lisbon, here it meant Bayern's title defence was over.

Story first published: Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 8:25 [IST]
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