Category sport-news

Paris Saint-Germain clinched a place in the Champions League final as goals by Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi gave them a 2-1 win over Arsenal in the second leg of their last-four tie on Wednesday, securing a 3-1 aggregate triumph.

Ruiz crashed in a shot from the edge of the area in the 27th minute at the Parc des Princes to leave PSG firmly in the driving seat after they had withstood an early bombardment from the visitors.

Already leading in the tie after Ousmane Dembele’s goal in last week’s first leg, PSG then saw Vitinha have a second-half penalty saved.

However, Hakimi put the tie beyond Arsenal when he scored in the 72nd minute, even if Bukayo Saka did then pull one back for the visitors.

PSG advance to a showdown in Munich on May 31 against Inter Milan, and it will be the second Champions League final in their history, five years after a defeat by Bayern Munich in Lisbon.

Arsenal, meanwhile, saw their European dream come to an end as they fell short of reaching what would have been their second final, 19 years after losing to Barcelona in Paris.

Still without a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, all that is left to play for now for Mikel Arteta’s side is securing a third consecutive second-place finish in the Premier League.

There was an electric atmosphere all evening in Paris, and PSG were able to celebrate getting to a final in front of their fans for the first time, after their victory against RB Leipzig in the last four in 2020 was played behind closed doors during the pandemic.

READ ALSO: Ronaldo’s Son Gets Portugal Under-15s Call Up

There was a feverish mood in and around the ground pre-match, but PSG have tripped up in big Champions League ties plenty of times over the last decade.

In addition, their top scorer, Dembele, was not in the starting line-up, having come off with a hamstring problem in the first leg.

Gunners Bombardment

Arsenal, with Thomas Partey back in midfield after missing the first leg through suspension, did their best to silence the raucous home support by throwing everything at the Parisians right from the off.

Declan Rice headed just wide, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Gabriel Martinelli from close range before producing a stunning save low to his left to keep out a Martin Odegaard shot, all inside the opening eight minutes.

PSG did eventually settle, and they almost went ahead on 17 minutes when Desire Doue teed up Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, whose curling shot hit the far post.

Then Doue wasted a great chance, shooting straight at David Raya in the Arsenal goal after Bradley Barcola had intercepted a loose ball.

But PSG did score before the half-hour mark, the goal coming in the wake of a free-kick awarded for a Rice foul on Kvaratskhelia.

Vitinha’s delivery was headed out by Partey but fell to Ruiz on the edge of the box, and he controlled before smashing in a left-foot shot as the ball bounced back up.

It was the ideal moment for the 29-year-old Spaniard to score his first Champions League goal.

Barcola failed to convert a good chance for the hosts to score again moments later, and Arsenal still had some hope going into the second half.

Only another stunning Donnarumma save with his fingertips prevented Saka from pulling one back on 64 minutes, before PSG were awarded a spot-kick.

German referee Felix Zwayer gave the penalty after being summoned to the pitchside monitor when a shot by Hakimi brushed the outstretched hand of Myles Lewis-Skelly.

READ ALSO: Inter Eye Champions League Redemption After Thrilling Barca Encounter

Arteta was furious at the decision, yet Vitinha’s kick was turned away by Raya diving to his left.

Nevertheless, PSG made it 2-0 on the night when Dembele, on from the bench, teed up Hakimi to finish in style.

This being PSG, however, there was a wobble as Saka quickly pulled one back from close range after Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard had got the better of Marquinhos on the wing.

Saka then somehow blazed over with an open goal gaping from Riccardo Calafiori’s cross, ensuring that there would be no miracle Arsenal comeback, and it would be PSG’s night.

Inter Milan are one victory away from Champions League redemption after Tuesday’s chaotic, mesmerising win over Barcelona which propelled the Italians into their second final in three seasons.

Simone Inzaghi’s team had been in a fragile state in recent weeks after their treble bid went up in smoke, surrendering top spot in Serie A to Napoli and being dumped out of the Italian Cup by local rivals AC Milan.

But beating star-studded Barca, and the incredible manner in which they did it, has completely changed the atmosphere at Inter who are now bullish about their chances of being crowned kings of Europe for the fourth time.

READ ALSO: Inter Snatch Late Winner Against Barcelona In Champions League Thriller

Inter will take on either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in Munich knowing their task will be nowhere near as difficult as it was two years ago, when they were narrowly beaten by possibly the best Manchester City team of the Pep Guardiola era.

That single-goal defeat to City in Istanbul was a bitter one for Inter who felt they were the better team on the night, bridging a monstrous financial gap with the mega-rich Premier League club with tactical nous and desire.

“We’ve been thinking about this since the day after we lost the last final,” said captain Lautaro Martinez, almost sobbing with joy after the final whistle.

“Now we’ve got to rest and finish the season well, knowing we have another opportunity to make history.”

Inter have always had the reputation of being an anarchic, crazy club, as capable of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory as they are winning major titles.

Their 7-6 triumph over Barca, which flipped one way and the next over the course of two barely believable legs, fully lived up to their nickname of “Pazza (mad) Inter”.

Martinez had been a doubt right until the eve of the match but recovered from a hamstring injury in time to both score and win a penalty which gave Inter their 2-0 half-time lead.

And Francesco Acerbi would ordinarily get a nosebleed being as far forward as he was to send the tie into extra-time with his first ever Champions League goal, at 37 years old, just as it looked like Raphinha had sealed a stunning comeback win for Barca.

 ‘Proud’ Inter

The Catalan giants could barely believe what they were seeing when super-sub Davide Frattesi guided home his extra-time winner, unused to being the team on the end of landmark defeats and frustrated at how their at times untouchable play failed to bear its expected fruit.

If anything Tuesday’s win felt like a mark of destiny for a grand old team who have had to battle desperate financial difficulties and an enforced change of ownership just as Inzaghi has made Inter one of Europe’s pre-eminent sides.

“We were up against a great team, but we’ve been raising our game for the last four or five years, every single year, and we’re so proud of that,” said Martinez.

Inzaghi risked ending the season with nothing but criticism after trying to fight on three fronts with a budget that is dwarfed by those of Europe’s other major clubs.

Inter, like the rest of cash-strapped Serie A, can no longer attract the world’s top stars so Inzaghi has had to create a team unit, a spirit that shines through on the big occasion.

Victory in Munich would be just reward for a coach who joined a club in turmoil in 2021 following the departure of both Antonio Conte and a clutch of star players, and he was close to the sack not long before Inter reached the Champions League final two years later.

Inzaghi’s ability was questioned after Inter lost a dramatic Serie A title battle with Milan in his first season and then finished 18 points behind 2023 champions Napoli.

But he has since risen to become one of football’s elite coaches and now he and Inter have the chance of a lifetime to win club football’s biggest prize.

Arsenal travel to Paris, where they only have a chance to reach their second Champions League final, with a magical touch at Parc des Princes. &nbsp,

The Gunners must deliver something spectacular against PSG in the high-stakes UEFA Champions League semi-final match against PSG, who lost 1-0 after the first leg in London. The opening goal by Ousmane Dembele sealed PSG’s crucial victory at the Emirates with a 1-0 victory. &nbsp,

After previously falling twice and drawing three times against the North London giants, PSG won their first-ever meeting against the Gunners. &nbsp,

Mikel Arteta’s men would aim to be happier in France when they return to England in 2006. In its first Champions League appearance to date, Arsenal lost to Barcelona in Paris that year. &nbsp,

READ ALSO: Arsenal Determined to “Make Statement” Against PSG In The Champions League Semi-Finals

The Premier League giants, who have never overturned a first-leg deficit in five attempts, are a herculean target. &nbsp,

Although Arsenal is not in the history books, Coach Arteta thinks his team can “do something special” in Paris and land a final meeting with Inter Milan, which they lost to in the same city 19 years ago. &nbsp,

Arsenal are in poor form going into Wednesday’s game. The last three games, which ended in defeat, have been lost. The North London side lost to Bournemouth 2-1 on Saturday after taking the lead, and they now face a risk of dropping below second in the league, a position they have maintained for two previous campaigns. &nbsp,

PSG, one of their foes, has a similar tale. The Parisians have already won another domestic title before the defeats, despite the French champions having lost their previous two league games. In the Ligue 1 defeat at home to Strasbourg over the weekend, Coach Luis Enrique fielded a second-string team. &nbsp,

Enrique wants an even better performance for PSG than they did with the first leg victory in London despite having an advantage in the first leg. He is aware of the quality of opposition that the Gunners bring. &nbsp,

Because our opponents don’t produce a favorable outcome, we are bound to suffer. To win the return leg and maintain our ideas, we must match our performance in the first leg as closely as possible, he said prior to the game. &nbsp,

LWLDWL (most recent first) PSG Form Guide

LLDWWD (former first, most recent)

Head-to-Head&nbsp: PSG vs. Arsenal

&nbsp, the two clubs’ final six meetings:

PSG wins: 1&nbsp,

Arsenal wins: 2;
• Draws: 3

PSG Team News

Due to a hamstring issue, Dembele was unable to play in London. Enrique confirmed that he is healthy and ready, which is a significant improvement for PSG, who are expected to keep the same lineup as they did in the first leg. &nbsp,

Arsenal Team News

In addition to long-term absentees, Arsenal has suffered significant injury setbacks this season, in contrast to PSG. Important midfielder Thomas Partey was unavailable last week against the French giants. Partey, who was sidelined for the first game, returns on Wednesday and is expected to play a significant role in Arsenal’s history-making endeavors. Jurrien Timber, the defending champion, is expected to play, despite missing Saturday’s defeat to Bournemouth. Riccardo Calafiori, an Italian, should be able to be chosen for the team. &nbsp,

PSG vs. Arsenal: Kickoff Time, Location, and Date

Paris’ Parc des Princes is where it’s located.

Kickoff time: 8: 00 pm (WAT/Nigeria time).

Second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final. &nbsp,

Will PSG seal the deal or will Arsenal rewrite history? &nbsp,

With an extra-time winner, Davis Frattesi led Inter Milan to a stunning 4-3 victory over Barcelona (7-6 overall) in the Champions League final on Tuesday.

When Frattesi lashed home in the 99th minute to make a packed and cheering San Siro shiver in celebration of the downpour, it was tied for the ages.

At the end of this month in Munich, Simone Inzaghi’s team will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal, with the feeling that they have a fantastic chance to become the kings of Europe for the fourth time.

READ ALSO: Arsenal Determined to “Make Statement” Against PSG In The Champions League Semi-Finals

After defeating Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, Inter’s season was saved as their bid for the treble waned.

After beating Bayern, Inter lost their top spot in Serie A, while AC Milan had to pull them out of the Italian Cup a fortnight ago, leaving Napoli as the favorite to win the domestic league title.

However, Inter put an end to Barca’s quest for the quadruple and are now looking forward to a second Champions League final in three years with renewed optimism heading into the final weeks of the campaign.

Frattesi scored his seventh goal of the year, which was probably his most significant of his career, despite the fact that Inter should have already been eliminated.

When Raphinha came back from two goals down at half-time to give Barca a 3-2 lead, the hosts were going out with two minutes left in regular time.

However, Francesco Acerbi stunned everyone in the stadium when he headed Denzel Dumfries’ cross in the added time penalty in the second minute, not the least of the already celebrating Barca supporters.

After going in at break-time thanks to a brilliant goal from Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty in first-half stoppage time, Barca had been by far the better team in the second half of normal time.

In the 54th and 60th minutes, Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo scored both exquisite Gerard Martin deliveries, and Yann Sommer had to do everything in his power to keep Inter at a touching distance.

Between Barca’s first two goals, Sommer probably saved the best save of the season by preventing Eric Garcia from completing a frantic Barca counter-attack.

And the Swiss was crucial once more in the 113th minute when he was saved by Lamine Yamal, who hit the post just before Acerbi’s equalizer.

Inter then held off Barca as the home fans waited until the match’s final whistle roared out loud.