Paris Saint-Germain booked their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Liverpool at Anfield. Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike levelled the tie on aggregate before Gianluigi Donnarumma emerged as PSG’s hero in the penalty shootout, saving two penalties to seal a 4-1 win after extra time.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool dominated for long spells but could not convert their chances, while PSG weathered the storm and held their nerve when it mattered most. The result ended Liverpool’s hopes of a seventh European crown, as Luis Enrique’s side advanced to the last eight alongside Barcelona, Inter and Bayern Munich.
As it happened
Liverpool came into the second leg with a slender 1-0 advantage from Paris, but PSG struck early to wipe out their lead. In the 12th minute, Ousmane Dembélé punished a defensive lapse from Ibrahima Konaté, smashing a composed finish beyond Alisson Becker from close range to bring the aggregate score level.
The Reds responded with purpose. Mohamed Salah twice went close – first seeing a shot deflected wide by Nuno Mendes, before dragging an effort narrowly past the post after weaving into the box. Dominik Szoboszlai thought he had restored Liverpool’s lead on 38 minutes, only for VAR to confirm Luis Díaz was offside in the build-up.
Liverpool ramped up the pressure after the break, with Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota both testing Donnarumma. However, PSG’s backline—marshalled superbly by Marquinhos—held firm. The visitors nearly snatched a second on the break, with Vitinha forcing a smart save from Alisson.
Extra time followed a cagey second half. Désiré Doué came closest for PSG, sending a curling effort inches wide. Liverpool, meanwhile, faded physically, with key players Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konaté both limping off. Slot introduced Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, but the Reds could not find a way through.
And so, this round-of-16 tie was to be decided by a penalty shootout. Vitinha coolly dispatched PSG’s first spot-kick, while Salah levelled for Liverpool. Gonçalo Ramos then sent Alisson the wrong way to put PSG back in front. The decisive moments came next – Darwin Núñez saw his effort superbly saved by Donnarumma, and the giant Italian stopper then repeated the feat to deny Jones.
Ousmane Dembélé converted PSG’s third penalty, before Désiré Doué sealed the victory with an emphatic strike into the top corner. PSG won the shootout 4-1, sparking wild celebrations in front of their travelling supporters.
The lineups
LIV: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Díaz, Jota.
PSG: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; João Neves, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Barcola.