PSG beat Arsenal 1-0 in Champions League semifinal first leg

In the tense opening match of the semifinal, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal 1-0 thanks to Ousmane Dembele’s early goal, which was a big step toward making it to the Champions League final.

As PSG dominated the opening moments on Tuesday, Dembele fired home from the post in the fourth minute, holding on for dear life.

After a poor start, Arsenal improved and had a Mikel Merino goal ruled out after the break, while PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made several good saves.

PSG withstanded the storm and should have had a bigger lead for the second leg, but Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos both wasted gilt-edged chances late on.

Inter Milan or Barcelona will face PSG in Munich on Wednesday, and PSG will believe a first title in the blue-riband club competition is finally in their hands.

In the first few weeks of the league season in October, Arsenal comfortably defeated PSG 2-0 in north London, but under the leadership of Luis Enrique, the French champions have developed into a formidable force.

PSG have been the scourge of English clubs since that defeat by Arsenal, defeating Manchester City in the league, knocking out Liverpool’s last 16, and dispatching Aston Villa in a quarterfinal thriller.

PSG barely scored an impressive goal in the opening 25 minutes, their pace and movements too much for Mikel Arteta’s side, thanks to fanatical support.

When PSG struck, the pre-game pyrotechnics’ smoke was barely evaporating.

After receiving the ball on the left, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia burst into the area and let Dembele catch a pass that would allow him to sweep a shot past David Raya.

Dembele’s eighth and eleventh goalscoring appearance in the competition this season matched Kylian Mbappe’s club record of 11 goals.

Arsenal were fantastic, and things could have gotten worse. As he broke clear and Marquinhos headed a Hakimi cross straight at Raya, Leonard Trossard was charged with pulling down Achraf Hakimi.

Kvaratskhelia was Arsenal’s constant thorn in the first half, and he was yelling for a penalty as he sat on the ground after being dubious challenged by Jurrien Timber.

Before Arsenal finally started to clear their minds, Raya saved Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue.

Gabriel Martinelli was agonizingly close to scoring a cross for Bukayo Saka before Donnarumma’s low save at halftime prevented him.

Declan Rice’s in-swinging free kick was scored immediately after the break by Merino, but a drawn-out VAR check revealed he had just been offside.

When PSG’s defense sluggish, Arteta’s side briefly took control, and Donnarumma made a stunning low save to keep a Trossard shot with his fingertips.