In Summary:
- PSG overcame Bayern Munich 2-0 in a dramatic Club World Cup quarter-final in Atlanta, despite finishing the match with only nine players.
- Désiré Doué scored the crucial opening goal in the 78th minute, breaking a tense deadlock after both teams had missed chances in a goalless first half.
- The game saw two late red cards for PSG defenders Pacho and Lucas Hernandez, but Ousmane Dembélé still managed to add a second goal in stoppage time, sealing their semi-final spot.
The Club World Cup quarter-final between PSG and Bayern Munich was a nail-biter, with no goals in the first half despite both teams having chances. PSG’s Désiré Doué broke the deadlock in the 78th minute. The game then exploded with drama as PSG faced two red cards, but Ousmane Dembélé still managed to score in stoppage time, securing a 2-0 win and a semi-final spot against Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund.
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A Tense First Half and Breakthrough Moment
The highly anticipated encounter, a rematch of the 2020 Champions League final, began with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess but struggling to find the back of the net.
Bayern Munich had several opportunities, with Manuel Neuer denying PSG’s Kvaratskhelia twice and Harry Kane heading over.
PSG also created chances, most notably when Doué slipped after a good cross and Dembélé narrowly missed an open goal after a Neuer error.
A major concern for Bayern arose just before halftime when midfielder Jamal Musiala was stretchered off with a suspected ankle injury following a collision with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Despite the end-to-end action, the first half concluded goalless, leaving spectators eager for the second period.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 78th minute when PSG’s Désiré Doué, who has been a standout performer for the Parisian side this season, collected a quick pass on the edge of the box.
He skillfully shifted the ball onto his left foot and fired a low shot past a stunned Neuer into the bottom right corner, sending the PSG faithful into raptures.
This goal marked a crucial turning point in a tightly contested match.
Late Drama: Red Cards and a Sealing Goal
The joy for PSG was short-lived as the intensity of the game escalated.
In the 83rd minute, PSG defender Pacho was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Bayern’s Leon Goretzka, reducing the European champions to ten men.
Just moments later, Harry Kane thought he had equalized for Bayern with a header, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.
The drama continued deep into stoppage time.
In the 92nd minute, Lucas Hernandez, who had only come on as a substitute, received a straight red card for an elbow to Guerreiro’s face, leaving PSG with only nine players on the field.
This set up a tense final few minutes, with Bayern pressing hard for an equalizer.
They were even awarded a penalty in the 90+10 minute after Thomas Müller went down in the box, but VAR overturned the decision, confirming no contact.
Against all odds, with Bayern pushing forward, nine-man PSG managed to double their lead in the 90+6 minute.
Ousmane Dembélé, another substitute, capitalized on a loose ball and, with a clever run and finish into the bottom left corner, sealed the victory for PSG.
This late goal effectively ended Bayern’s hopes and secured PSG’s place in the semi-finals.
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Looking Ahead to the Semi-Finals
PSG’s victory sets up a tantalizing semi-final clash against the winner of the Real Madrid versus Borussia Dortmund quarter-final.
This win marks a significant step for PSG in their pursuit of their first-ever Club World Cup title.
However, the disciplinary issues, with both Pacho and Hernandez receiving red cards, will create a defensive headache for PSG manager Luis Enrique as they prepare for their next challenge in the tournament.
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