PSG edge Liverpool on penalties to reach Champions League Quarter-Finals

Paris Saint-Germain staged a dramatic comeback to eliminate Liverpool from the Champions League, winning 4-1 on penalties after a 1-0 second-leg victory at Anfield.

The result secured PSG’s place in the quarter-finals, ending Liverpool’s perfect record of advancing in European ties after winning the first leg away.

Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike leveled the aggregate score at 1-1, setting up a tense battle that lasted through extra time. When the match remained deadlocked, PSG held their nerve in the penalty shootout, converting all four of their spot-kicks. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was the hero, saving penalties from Darwin Núñez and Curtis Jones to seal the victory.

PSG manager Luis Enrique, who had predicted that the winner of this tie could go on to reach the final, praised his players’ resilience. “Both teams deserved to go through, but my players showed great personality at Anfield,” he said. PSG will now face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the last eight.

Liverpool Rue Missed Opportunities

Liverpool had several chances to put the game beyond PSG’s reach but failed to capitalize. Mohamed Salah came close in the opening minutes, only for Nuno Mendes to deflect his shot over the bar. The Reds thought they had equalized in the second half when Dominik Szoboszlai found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Donnarumma made crucial saves to deny Luis Díaz and Szoboszlai, while substitute Jarell Quansah saw his late header hit the inside of the post. In extra time, PSG nearly snatched victory through Lucas Beraldo and Désiré Doué, but Liverpool held on to force a shootout.

Donnarumma’s Heroics Seal PSG’s Triumph

In the penalty shootout, Donnarumma outshone Liverpool’s Alisson, making key saves against Núñez and Jones. Meanwhile, PSG’s penalty takers—Vitinha, Gonçalo Ramos, Dembélé, and Doué—converted flawlessly, securing a famous win for the French side.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted the defeat was tough to take but acknowledged PSG’s performance over two legs. “Over 90 minutes, we didn’t deserve to lose, but over 180 minutes, maybe it was fair,” he said.

For PSG, the victory marks a major step in their quest for a first-ever Champions League title, as they continue their pursuit of European glory.