Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen second leg match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Tuesday March 11, 2025. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Liverpool 4-1 in a penalty shootout to secure a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals after a thrilling 1-0 victory in the last-16 second leg at Anfield on Tuesday, courtesy of Ousmane Dembélé’s early goal.
With the aggregate score tied at 1-1, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved penalties from Darwin Núñez and Curtis Jones, while all of PSG’s takers converted their attempts.
PSG will face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the next round, with Villa holding a 3-1 advantage ahead of Wednesday’s second leg.
Dembélé silenced the Anfield crowd in the 12th minute, scoring against the run of play. Ibrahima Konaté’s block on Bradley Barcola’s shot inadvertently deflected the ball away from goalkeeper Alisson, allowing Dembélé to tap into an open net.
It was the earliest goal Liverpool had conceded at Anfield in the Champions League since September 2017 against Sevilla.
Arne Slot’s side delivered a much-improved performance compared to the first leg—where a late strike from substitute Harvey Elliott salvaged a draw—while Mohamed Salah came close early on, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Nuno Mendes.
Donnarumma made an early diving save to deny a shot from Konaté, while both teams missed opportunities in a tense match that kept fans on edge.
Liverpool dominated possession in PSG’s half throughout the second period and thought they had taken the lead when Dominik Szoboszlai scored, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside in the buildup.
As the clock ticked down, Liverpool increased the pressure, forcing Donnarumma to make several crucial saves. In extra time, Dembélé nearly sealed the win for PSG with a powerful strike, but Alisson produced a spectacular fingertip save to keep Liverpool’s hopes alive.
PSG remained composed during the penalty shootout, with Vitinha, Gonçalo Ramos, Dembélé, and Désiré Doué all converting their attempts. Although Salah confidently scored Liverpool’s first penalty, weak efforts from Núñez and Jones were easily saved by Donnarumma.
Despite the defeat, Liverpool’s manager remained gracious and praised his team’s performance.
“I think it was the best game of football I’ve ever been involved in,” he said. “We maybe ran out of luck after last week. After 90 minutes, we played the perfect game—except for not scoring.”
PSG defied the odds by becoming only the fourth team out of 28 to advance in a Champions League knockout tie after losing the first leg at home.
“Both teams deserved to reach the next round,” PSG coach Luis Enrique remarked. “They played better than us here, but my team showed incredible personality and character at a special stadium like Anfield.”
“We gave our best effort, but it was challenging due to their intensity. Both teams deserved to advance.”
Despite the cold weather, thousands of traveling fans—many shirtless—remained undeterred, singing and dancing until the final whistle.
Liverpool faces a quick turnaround with the League Cup final against Newcastle United approaching on Sunday.
Reflecting on the defeat, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said, “I told the team, ‘It’s natural to feel disappointed after being eliminated, but keep your heads up and focus on the next challenge—a big one this weekend.'”
