In a thrilling UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, Paris Saint-Germain edged out Arsenal with a narrow 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, April 29, 2025. The match saw Gianluigi Donnarumma putting on a stellar performance in goal, making crucial saves that kept the Gunners at bay and secured a vital away win for the Parisians.
The match kicked off at 20:00 BST, and it didn’t take long for PSG to make their mark. In just the fourth minute, Ousmane Dembélé struck a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner after a swift counterattack, giving PSG an early lead. This goal marked the earliest Arsenal had conceded in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages since Edinson Cavani’s goal in September 2016.
Despite the early setback, Arsenal responded with vigor, dominating possession as the match progressed. They had just 32.3% of the ball in the first 30 minutes but managed to regain control, seeing 50% possession between the 30th and 60th minutes. However, they struggled to convert their chances against a resolute PSG defense.
Arsenal's Mikel Arteta was keenly aware of the threats posed by his opponents and had selected a strong starting XI featuring Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard. However, they were unable to find the back of the net, largely thanks to Donnarumma's heroics.
Donnarumma, hailed as a "titan" by PSG coach Luis Enrique, made a series of remarkable saves throughout the match. His standout moment came in the 56th minute when he denied Trossard one-on-one with a fantastic one-handed save. Earlier, he had also thwarted Martinelli in a similar situation just before halftime, showcasing his exceptional reflexes and composure under pressure.
"He made the saves like he did against Liverpool and Villa," Arteta remarked post-match, emphasizing the impact of Donnarumma's performance. The Italian goalkeeper's five saves that night were his joint most in the Champions League this season and the most by a PSG goalkeeper without conceding in a knockout game since the competition's format changed in 2003-04.
While Donnarumma’s performance was pivotal, the match also had its share of drama. Early in the second half, he made an error when he hesitated to come off his line for a set piece, allowing Mikel Merino to head into an empty net. However, the goal was ruled out for offside after a video review, saving Donnarumma from potential embarrassment.
PSG's defense, with Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, and Nuno Mendes, held firm against Arsenal's attacking threats. The Parisians managed to secure their third win from five matches against English teams in the Champions League, a significant achievement considering Arsenal had previously defeated them 2-0 in the league phase.
As the match wore on, Arsenal's frustration grew, and they failed to capitalize on their possession. Mikel Merino had a headed goal disallowed for offside, and despite several attempts, including a late push in the final minutes, they could not find an equalizer.
Dembélé's goal not only set the tone for the match but also highlighted his remarkable form. With 25 goals in all competitions for the year, he is currently the top scorer among players in Europe's top five leagues. His performance in this match further solidified his status as one of PSG's key players, contributing significantly to their attacking efforts.
Looking ahead, PSG will take this slim advantage into the second leg of the semi-final next week in Paris, where they will aim to secure their place in the final against either Inter or Barcelona. The stakes are high, and with Donnarumma in such fine form, they will fancy their chances of progressing.
As the dust settles on this encounter, both teams will reflect on their performances. Arsenal, despite the loss, showed resilience and attacking intent, while PSG will be buoyed by their victory and the standout performance of their goalkeeper. The return leg promises to be an exciting affair as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the Champions League final.
