Paris Saint‑Germain took a major step towards qualification for the Champions League semi‑finals after securing a valuable and deserved 2–0 victory over visiting Liverpool on Wednesday in the first leg of their quarter‑final tie in Europe’s elite club competition.
PSG were the better side throughout the match and could have scored a record number of goals had it not been for the inaccuracy and wastefulness of their forwards, who repeatedly missed clear‑cut chances that would easily have sent the Parisians through to the last four of a competition they won for the first time last season.
In contrast, Liverpool continued their disappointing form this season across all competitions, offering next to nothing over the 90 minutes at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Dutch manager Arne Slot further stirred debate by leaving star Egyptian international Mohamed Salah on the bench for the entire match.
Desiré Doué opened the scoring for PSG in the 11th minute, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubling the lead in the 65th minute.
On aggregate, PSG now need only to lose by a one‑goal margin in the second leg at Anfield next Tuesday to progress and keep alive their campaign to defend the trophy they won for the first time last year.
Liverpool, meanwhile, must win by a three‑goal margin if they want to prolong their dream of lifting the Champions League for a seventh time in their history and to avenge last season’s elimination to the French capital side in the round of 16.
Should Liverpool win by exactly two goals in the return leg, the tie will go to extra time and then to a penalty shootout if the aggregate score remains level, in accordance with the competition’s regulations.
