Paris Saint-Germain Beat Arsenal To Reach UEFA Champions League Final

 

Achraf Hakimi celebrates with Fabian Ruiz, who scored Paris Saint-Germain's opening goal as the French side defeated Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League semi-final

Paris Saint-Germain have reached the Champions League final after a nail-biting 2-1 semifinal second leg tie victory over Arsenal for an aggregate score of 3-1. This is the second time in the club's history that it has reached the final of the European competition. 

Arsenal lost the first leg tie to the Parisians by a lone goal from Ousmane Dembele at Emirates Stadium. Reaching the final would have rekindled Arsenal's only trophy hope of the season. However, that did not happen, and they have already lost the Premier League title race to Liverpool. 

Fabian Ruiz struck a delightful volley from inside the box into the net following a free-kick, and the Parisians' lead doubled after the break as Achraf Hakimi shouldered a defender before striking a right-footed shot home from inside the edge of the box. 

Arsenal pulled back one following a fast break, leading to Leandro Trossard's pass ricocheting toward Bukayo Saka, who rounded a defender and the keeper before tapping in the ball. The goal eventually was a consolation as Arsenal were defeated. 

Earlier, both sides had a victory apiece from their previous meetings. PSG have now won for the second time in their third encounter in a European competition.  Neither side has ever won the Champions League trophy, having reached the final once - Arsenal in 2004/05 and PSG in 2019/20. PSG will now face Inter Milan in the final. 

Overview

After taking the lead from a set piece, PSG established control for much of the earlier stages, leaving Arsenal's midfield at its mercy. Bukayo Saka tried to play his teammate in from the right flank, but the Parisians were quicker to get behind the ball. Possession-wise, PSG dictated the pace and had clearer chances than their opponents. 

PSG maintained the upper hand in the second period. Calafiori and Trossard, coming as substitutes, revamped the left wing, which led to the latter influencing Saka's goal. Unlike PSG, the Gunners' frontline was not blunt enough, though Saka made some brilliant attempts at the goal. Trailing by a two-goal deficit was demoralising, handing the Ligue side motivation to press the game.