Club World Cup: 9-Man PSG Beat Bayern Munich 2-0, Advance To Semi-Final
Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the Club World Cup semi-finals as goals from Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele secured a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in a thrilling encounter on Saturday. The European champions, despite being reduced to nine men with the dismissals of Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez in the closing stages, managed to overcome the German giants in Atlanta.
The Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich lost Jamal Musiala to a severe ankle injury just before half-time, in a match that was intensely contested by both sides. Prior to this defeat, Bayern had won their last four matches against PSG, including a 1-0 win in the Champions League last November, but Luis Enrique's team reached their peak performance in this game.
The match began with a poignant moment as players and the nearly 67,000 spectators observed a minute of silence for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who tragically died in a car crash on Thursday. This was particularly emotional for PSG, who have five Portuguese players in their squad, including starters Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Nuno Mendes.
Luis Enrique opted to start with Ballon d'Or candidate Dembele on the bench, as he continues his recovery from a quadriceps injury, while Bayern's playmaker Musiala was fit to play following a calf issue.
The clash at FIFA's expanded tournament was highly anticipated, with Bayern coach Vincent Kompany describing it as a 'perfect storm" due to the teams' similar high-pressing, attacking styles. The air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium provided ideal conditions for the game, which featured skilled dribblers and elite goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and Manuel Neuer.
Georgia international Kvaratskhelia forced Neuer into an excellent close-range stop after Bradley Barcola played a ball to him, and the winger surged inside. Donnarumma was again called into action, reacting swiftly to block Aleksandar Pavlovic's low cross intended for Musiala.
Dayot Upamecano's header from Olise's free-kick was disallowed for offside in first-half stoppage time, and Harry Kane came close for Bayern with a narrowly missed header following Kingsley Coman's fine work.
How Bad Is Jamal Musiala's Injury?
Musiala suffered a gruesome ankle injury before half-time after a collision with Donnarumma, leaving the goalkeeper visibly distraught.
In the second half, Neuer made a sensational save to deny Barcola as he ran through on goal. With 20 minutes remaining, Luis Enrique sent on Dembele to make a difference and avoid extra-time. Dembele nearly succeeded when Neuer's error allowed him to shoot at an empty net, but his effort went just wide.
Doue eventually broke the deadlock after Kane lost possession, allowing PSG to attack in numbers. Doue created space on the edge of the box and scored with a low strike at the near post.
Bayern's hopes of an equaliser were boosted when PSG defender Pacho was sent off for a high tackle on Leon Goretzka after 83 minutes. Kane headed home from an offside position before PSG's substitute Hernandez was dismissed for an elbow.
Dembele hit the crossbar on the break, but finally sealed PSG's victory by scoring after Achraf Hakimi's run and paying tribute to Jota with a video-gaming celebration.
PSG will face either Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals on Wednesday at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
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