Football: PSG 0 - 1 Liverpool
Liverpool will take a narrow lead back to Anfield after an incredible performance by their goalkeeper
PSG dominated but fail to find a breakthrough
Paris Saint-Germain were in complete control for much of the contest, registering 27 shots on goal, with Alisson forced into nine saves.
Yet, despite their dominance, the hosts failed to break the deadlock – and Liverpool struck with just their second attempt of the night in the 87th minute.
Harvey Elliott scored with his first touch after coming off the bench for Mohamed Salah, latching onto a pass from Darwin Núñez.
Luis Enrique’s side were left shell-shocked. Quite how they failed to find the net will remain a mystery – or, more accurately, an Alisson-shaped one.
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Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were particularly electric in attack, at times simply unplayable.
Kvaratskhelia did have the ball in the net in the first half, only for the goal to be correctly ruled out for offside by VAR.
Liverpool again benefited from a VAR decision – this time more contentiously – when Ibrahima Konaté avoided a red card despite shoving Bradley Barcola to the ground just outside the area.
A closer look at what happened
Before Elliott’s late intervention, Liverpool had managed just one shot – a wayward effort from Luis Díaz in the 44th minute.
But just 46 seconds after replacing Salah, the teenager stunned the home crowd.
Alisson launched a long ball forward to Núñez, who brought it under control before picking out Elliott in space. Gianluigi Donnarumma got a hand to the first-time effort but couldn’t keep it from nestling in the bottom corner.
The goal leaves Liverpool in pole position to set up a quarter-final clash with either Aston Villa or Club Brugge.
Positive signs for PSG despite the defeat?
Since their 2011 takeover, PSG have consistently flattered to deceive in the Champions League. Each time it seems they are finally ready to take the next step, something goes awry.
This time, though, felt different.The Ligue 1 leaders had won 10 matches in a row and were unbeaten in 22 games.
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Unlike previous years, when PSG struggled to mould superstar names like Kylian Mbappé, Neymar, and Lionel Messi into a cohesive unit, this was a side that looked more like a team.
Dembélé had scored 20 goals in his previous 14 matches and tormented Liverpool’s defence, particularly in the first half. Kvaratskhelia, a January signing from Napoli, was just as thrilling when driving forward with the ball.
For much of the night, the hosts looked to be in total command, winning their battles across the pitch and ending with 70% possession.
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