Niclas Füllkrug scored the only goal in Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal. This goal was set up by a long pass from Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, giving Füllkrug the opportunity to finish past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 36th minute. The win gives Dortmund a slight advantage heading into the second leg in Paris, where PSG will need to overcome the result in order to advance in the tournament. The pressure is on PSG to win the Champions League and validate the significant investment made by their Qatari owners.
Dortmund’s victory secured their spot in next season’s Champions League and also means that the Bundesliga will have five teams in the tournament. The home team played with intensity throughout the match, running almost 10 kilometers more than PSG. Despite PSG’s pressure in the second half, with opportunities from Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi hitting the posts, Dortmund’s defense held strong. Füllkrug missed additional chances for Dortmund, while Marquinhos made a crucial block on Julian Brandt late in the game.
Both teams missed opportunities to score, with Ousmane Dembelé and Vitinha missing chances for PSG. Dortmund coach Edin Terzić made a late substitution, bringing on veteran Marco Reus in the 83rd minute. The winner of this two-leg tie will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final in London on June 1. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich drew 2-2 in their semifinal first leg, setting up an exciting second leg for both matchups.
Despite the pressure on PSG to win the Champions League, Dortmund’s strong performance in the first leg gives them a narrow advantage heading into the second leg in Paris. The home crowd, including the iconic “yellow wall” behind one of the goals, provided support for Dortmund throughout the match. PSG coach Luis Enrique acknowledged the difficulty of playing against a quality team like Dortmund, emphasizing the need for intensity in the second leg. Both teams will need to capitalize on their opportunities to secure a spot in the final and potentially lift Europe’s biggest prize.
Overall, Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semifinal first leg sets up an exciting second leg in Paris. With both teams missing chances and facing strong defensive play, the outcome of this tie remains uncertain. The pressure is on PSG to overturn the result and advance in the tournament, while Dortmund will look to maintain their advantage and secure a spot in the final. Fans can expect a thrilling second leg as both teams battle it out for a chance to compete for the Champions League title.
