The Champions League returned with semi-final action from PSG and Arsenal, and it was everything we hoped for.

PSG came into this fixture with the reminder that Arsenal had already beaten them in the group stage. The Parisians were here for revenge, and Arsenal weren’t going to make it an easy one, especially at the Emirates Stadium.

It was frantic stuff. You couldn’t sit properly for this fixture because anything could happen at any moment.

Speaking of moments, it was just a matter of moments before PSG took the lead. In the 4th minute, when things were getting thick, Kvaratskhelia pulled back a trivela pass to Dembele on the edge of the box and the French winger slammed it into the group, onto the post and into the back of the net.

Read more: PSG and Arsenal Combined XI

PSG has the lead and in style. Arsenal were shocked because this wasn’t in the books. A goal? Yes, but not this early.

Arsenal were held spellbound for the next twenty minutes as PSG pushed, passed and ran past them. The Gunners had barely gotten a breather.

But after the first 20 minutes, the Gunners started to get a hang of things. They weren’t allowing the French Champions to run all over them but they were yet to possess any threat.

The Parisians had another chance through Desire Doué but Raya was quick to stop the ball. He had a tough time in goal. Donnaruma on the other hand, was tested a bit in the first half but he had it all under control.

The second half came unto us like a flash. Barely one minute into the game, Arsenal had a goal and if you wondered how they scored, your guess is as good as mine, a set-piece. 

Mikel Merino was in hand to head in a free kick from Declan Rice but after a VAR check, the goal was ruled for offside.

Arsenal grew more into the game in the second half. They got forward more thanks to the driving runs from Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice. PSG balled but Arsenal showed they can match the energy.

Arsenal also worked Donnaruma a lot more. He had to make saves to stop Martinelli, Saka and Trossard who came really close to equalizing on different occasions.

Donnaruma was pumped and so were his teammates. They almost made it 2-0 in the dying minutes of the second half. Barcola has a chance to slightly wide of the post while Goncalo Ramos hit the crossbar from close range.

It was really end-to-end stuff. You couldn’t afford to blink with all the excitement going on. This win now put PSG just within reach of the Champions League final but they have it all to do in the second leg at the Parc de Prince next week.