UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals (Second Legs)

Inter Milan vs Barcelona - San Siro Stadium (7-6 AGG) 

When you thought the first leg couldn’t be topped, the second leg exceeded expectations in every way. There were early goals, comebacks, VAR interventions, late minute equalisers, extra time drama, a penalty and 7 goals in this game alone. A game once again which was all round dominated by Barcelona. Just like the first leg, Inter went 2 goals ahead in the game at half time, with a controversial VAR intervention to award a penalty to Inter just before the half. But Barelona came back again in the second half with 2 goals in 6 minutes to make it 2-2 on the night and 5-5 on aggregate by the hour mark. 

The drama was far from over when Raphinha put Barcelona ahead for the first time in the tie in the 87th minute, when it seemed like Barcelona would be advancing. However, deep into stoppage time Inter found a way through Acerbi, their centre back of all people to get the goal they needed to force extra time. Yet again Barcelona felt aggrieved as they thought Dumfries committed a foul before putting the ball into the box for Acerbi but nothing was given. In the 99th minute, the 13th and final goal was scored by Davide Frattesi to give Inter a 4-3 lead on the night and 7-6 lead in the tie. A final goal to send the San Siro into pandemonium and would send Inter from Milan to Munich for the Champions League Final on May 31st. 

PSG vs Arsenal - Parcs Des Princes (3-1 AGG) 

There was a bright start from Arsenal who did have good chances but either couldn’t convert them or Donnarumma kept them out with another great performance from the PSG Keeper. Arsenal overall did have the better of the stats including the possession as they just bettered PSG. However, the telling stat was despite having nearly twice the amount of shots, PSG had more shots on target. 

Inside the half hour PSG made Arsenal pay for not converting their chances as Fabian Ruiz put them ahead and gave them a 2 goal cushion. VAR then intervened as they awarded a penalty to PSG for a handball from Myles Lewis-Skelly, which was a topic for debate amongst fans. Although, some may see the penalty being saved by David Raya as justice done, but a poor penalty nonetheless from Vitinha. Luckily for him, in the 72nd minute Hakimi latched onto a mistake from Thomas Partey and punished him making it 2-0 (3-0 AGG). Arsenal did have an answer back quickly with Saka scoring in the 76th minute to give fans some hope but a miss from Saka just 4 minutes later which should have been converted seemed to be the end for Arsenal. 

The opening goal of the game came in the 27th minute. A free kick from Vitinha was headed away by Thomas Partey but straight into the path of Fabian Ruiz. He took an excellent touch on his chest to take it away from Martinelli before firing it to goal on the half volley. Beating Raya and into the right corner to put PSG ahead. It did seem as though it was deflected by William Saliba, perhaps taking it away from Raya but PSG would not care. 

PSG’s second goal of the night came from the mistakes of Arsenal as a cross from Kvaratskhelia seemed to go to Thomas Partey before he was caught on the ball by Hakimi. He did a give and go with Ousmane Dembele, took one touch and fired it into the bottom corner to extend their lead and make it 3-0 on aggregate. Surely an end to the UCL campaign for the Gunners. 

They were given a glimmer of hope for Arsenal as they scored within 4 minutes of Hakimi’s goal. A hopeful ball forward was put towards Trossard on the left wing, an even challenge which Marquinhos wanted a foul for led to Trossard having space to run into. He put the ball across the box towards Bukayo Saka, he took a shot that was well defended but fell back into the path of Saka. At a tight angle he was able to score and give Arsenal slight hope but it proved to be the only goal they would score in the tie. Even after a VAR check on the challenge from Trossard on Marquinhos, the goal stood. 

PSG meet Inter Milan in the Champions League Final in Munich with one team either winning the competition for the first time or a first win in 15 years for the other. 

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL:

MAY 31ST - ALLIANZ ARENA 

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN VS INTER MILAN