Paris Saint-Germain claimed a dramatic 5-4 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, a match widely hailed as one of the greatest in the competition's history. The nine-goal thriller set a new record for the most goals in a last-four game, with French media describing it as 'pure madness' and 'a pinnacle of art and culture'.
The encounter at the Parc des Princes saw PSG race into a 5-2 lead before Bayern staged a late rally, scoring twice through Dayot Upamecano and Luis Díaz to reduce the deficit to a single goal. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé each scored twice for the hosts, with L'Équipe calling the display 'a prodigious battle of astonishing intensity and technical quality'.
German press acknowledged Bayern's defensive frailties but praised their resilience. Kicker labelled it a 'football festival' where the visitors showed 'impressive character' to claw their way back. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, absent due to suspension, expressed confidence ahead of next week's return leg in Munich, stating 'the belief is 100% there'.
Italian media lauded Kvaratskhelia's performance, with La Gazzetta dello Sport describing his equalising goal as 'a moment of pure magic' and the match as 'football in its finest essence'. Corriere dello Sport noted a division in perception, with some viewing the frenetic pace as 'only acceptable on PlayStation', while others hailed it as 'football at its absolute peak'.
Spanish outlets focused on Barcelona-linked figures Luis Enrique and Dembélé, with Marca praising a 'breathtaking contest that felt more like an exhibition of attacking brilliance'. PSG manager Luis Enrique called it 'the best match I have ever coached'. The second leg promises further drama as Bayern, buoyed by their late fightback, look to overturn the deficit on home soil.
