Borussia Dortmund pulled off a monumental upset, defying the odds and silencing a raucous Parc des Princes crowd to defeat Paris St-Germain. Their victory secures a place in their first Champions League final since 2013, a testament to their resilience and tactical brilliance.
Carrying a 1-0 lead from the first leg, Dortmund extended their advantage early in the match. Mats Hummels, left unmarked, capitalized on Julian Brandt’s corner, his close-range header sending shockwaves through the stadium.
PSG’s frustration mounted. Warren Zaire-Emery’s agonizing miss, his volley crashing against the post, set the tone for the second half. Nuno Mendes also struck the woodwork, and the hosts’ desperation grew after going down 2-0 on aggregate. A brief glimmer of hope flickered when referee Daniele Orsato initially awarded a penalty, but it was swiftly overturned, with Hummels’ foul on Ousmane Dembele deemed just outside the box.
Despite their domestic struggles, Dortmund’s defensive masterclass was a revelation. Kylian Mbappe, in his final European match for PSG before his Real Madrid move, found himself consistently thwarted. Superb saves by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, a last-ditch tackle by Hummels, and a collective defensive effort neutralized the threat of PSG’s star forward.
PSG’s inability to finish proved fatal. Vitinha’s strike against the crossbar was another blow, the sixth time they had been denied by the woodwork over the two legs. Late pressure, including a Mbappe save and a Marquinhos header narrowly wide, was not enough to prevent Dortmund’s historic triumph.
The final on June 1st at Wembley has the potential to be an all-German affair, a thrilling prospect that echoes the 2013 final won by Bayern Munich. Bayern and Real Madrid’s semifinal remains delicately poised at 2-2, with the second leg in Spain to determine Dortmund’s opponent.
Dortmund, after a disappointing domestic campaign, are now poised to reclaim their European glory, aiming to repeat their 1997 victory over Juventus. Their journey from underdogs to finalists is a testament to their indomitable spirit and a crushing blow to PSG’s ambitions.