UCL: Ousmane Dembele’s double seals Liverpool fate as PSG progress to semis

Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the Champions League semi-finals after a clinical 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield, sealing a dominant aggregate victory and ending the hosts’ European campaign for the second consecutive season.

Despite arriving in England with a two-goal cushion, PSG were pushed by a spirited Liverpool performance before Ousmane Dembele struck twice to settle the tie.

Dembele delivers in decisive moment

After sustained pressure from Liverpool early in the second half, PSG capitalised on a key moment in the 72nd minute.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia released Dembele, who drove forward and fired a powerful left-footed effort past Giorgi Mamardashvili to effectively end the contest.

The French forward added a second in stoppage time, finishing from close range after an assist from Bradley Barcola, as Anfield began to empty.

Liverpool fail to convert pressure

Under Arne Slot, Liverpool showed a marked improvement from their first-leg defeat but lacked the cutting edge in attack.

A potential turning point arrived in the 65th minute when a penalty was initially awarded after Alexis Mac Allister went down under a challenge, only for referee Maurizio Mariani to overturn the decision following a VAR review.

Liverpool struggled to test PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov consistently, with defensive interventions from Marquinhos and others maintaining the visitors’ control.

Slot faces key questions after exit

Liverpool introduced Mohamed Salah in the first half after an injury to Hugo Ekitike, while Alexander Isak made his first start since December. However, attacking cohesion remained limited.

The result confirms Liverpool’s exit without silverware this season, placing increased emphasis on securing Champions League qualification domestically.

For PSG, managed by Luis Enrique, the focus now shifts to the semi-finals, where they will face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.