Under a cold and persistent rain at Anfield, Paris Saint-Germain confirmed their spot in the Champions League semi-finals by defeating Liverpool 2-0 on their turf, after winning the first leg at Parc des Princes 2-0. Behind Ousmane Dembele’s brace, it was the Parisian defense that stifled the dreams of a comeback by the English side. Despite an intense pressing from Liverpool, led by a fervent Kop and an urgency to score quickly, Paris held strong with an impressive defensive performance. The Reds attempted numerous crosses and shots, through Ryan Gravenberch, Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo, but they couldn’t break through the solid Parisian block.
The resistance was exemplified by several players. Captain Marquinhos was outstanding in defense, making crucial interventions, including blocking a close-range effort from Virgil van Dijk. Willian Pacho dominated the duels against the English attackers, while goalkeeper Matvey Safonov made vital saves, especially against Gakpo and Kerkez. The Parisian defense remained resolute, frustrating the Liverpool side throughout the match.
Marquinhos showcased his defensive prowess in a solid performance, while Safonov was named the man of the match for his series of decisive saves. With a strong defensive display throughout the two legs, Paris ended Liverpool’s hopes of a comeback with a mature and disciplined performance.
Safonov’s clean-sheet in this match marked his third consecutive match without conceding a goal in the Champions League, a feat not achieved by a Parisian goalkeeper since Keylor Navas in 2019. The solid defensive showing by Paris extinguished any hopes of a Liverpool comeback over 180 minutes of play.
Published on: 15/04/2026 02:00 Last updated on: 15/04/2026 02:34
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