In a thrilling conclusion to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Barcelona both secured their spots in the semi-finals, despite facing tough challenges in their respective second-leg matches. PSG, who had previously triumphed over Aston Villa in the first leg, found themselves in a nail-biting situation as they faced a determined Villa squad in Birmingham.
On April 16, 2025, PSG traveled to Villa Park with a comfortable 3-1 lead from the first leg. However, the match took an unexpected turn as Villa fought back valiantly, ultimately defeating PSG 3-2 in the second leg. Despite this loss, PSG advanced with an aggregate score of 5-4, showcasing their resilience in the face of adversity.
The action kicked off early for PSG, with Achraf Hakimi finding the back of the net just 11 minutes into the game. Following a quick counter-attack, Hakimi capitalized on a loose ball in the box, firing a right-footed shot past Villa's goalkeeper. This early goal set a positive tone for PSG, who seemed to be on their way to a straightforward victory.
PSG doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Nuno Mendes scored after a well-placed low cross from Ousmane Dembélé. At 2-0, the aggregate score stood at 5-1, leaving Villa with a monumental task ahead. However, Villa's determination shone through as they clawed back into the match.
In the 34th minute, Villa's Yuri Tielemans took advantage of a deflected shot to score, giving Villa a glimmer of hope. The home crowd erupted as they sensed a comeback. Then, just five minutes into the second half, Villa captain John McGinn launched a spectacular strike from 30 meters out, which deflected off a defender and sailed over PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma, narrowing the aggregate score to 5-3.
The tension escalated just two minutes later when Ezri Konsa scored Villa's third goal, following a swift corner kick and a cutback pass from Marcus Rashford. Suddenly, the aggregate score was a mere 5-4, and Villa was within striking distance of an incredible comeback.
Despite the mounting pressure, PSG held firm, thanks in large part to Donnarumma's heroics in goal. The Italian goalkeeper made several crucial saves to deny Villa further goals, allowing PSG to secure their place in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Barcelona faced a different kind of challenge against Borussia Dortmund. In their second leg, played at BVB Stadion, Barcelona lost 1-3. However, their commanding 4-0 victory in the first leg ensured they advanced with an aggregate score of 5-3.
Dortmund's Serou Girasi was the star of the match, scoring a hat-trick that included a penalty in the 11th minute and two additional goals in the second half. His first came from the spot after a foul in the box, while his second was a powerful header from a corner kick. Girasi completed his hat-trick with a low left-footed shot from close range in the 31st minute.
Barcelona managed to find the net once, thanks to an own goal from Dortmund's Rami Bensebaini in the 54th minute. Despite the loss, Barcelona's aggregate lead allowed them to celebrate their progression to the next round.
With these results, PSG will now face the winner of the upcoming match between Real Madrid and Arsenal in the semi-finals. Arsenal currently holds a 3-0 advantage after the first leg, with the second leg set to take place at the Santiago Bernabéu. On the other hand, Barcelona will meet the winner of the clash between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, with Inter leading 2-1 after their first leg.
The semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League are set to kick off on May 7, 2025, promising to deliver high-stakes drama and excitement as the top clubs in Europe vie for a coveted spot in the final.
