Nuno Mendes involved in goal fest! Ex-Sporting star shines in PSG v Bayern | OneFootball

On a true European football night this Tuesday, PSG and Bayern went head-to-head in a genuine goal fest. In the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, the Parisians came out on top, beating the Bavarians 5-4.

With Nuno Mendes - whose fitness situation had been updated - in the starting line-up for the French side, the opening minutes were fairly calm, with both teams trying to impose their game. However, everything changed in the 17th minute, when Pacho brought down Luis Diaz in the penalty area. From the spot, Harry Kane kept his cool and opened the scoring with a well-placed finish.

Soon after, Vincent Kompany's men - with the manager absent from the bench due to suspension - came very close to a second: Olise was picked out on the right side of the box and forced an excellent save from Safonov. In response, Dembélé found himself through on goal, but his shot drifted too far wide.

Even so, the equaliser arrived in the very next minute. In the 24th minute, and as a result of the constant positional interchanges among PSG's front men, Kvaratskhelia burst into the box from the left, sent Stanisic the wrong way and fired into the back of the net. Later on, after a couple of dangerous moments at both ends, the home side won a corner, which ended with a precise header from João Neves.

PSG were on top and closer to a third, but Olise's brilliance restored parity once again. After a series of short dribbles, the winger smashed home to make it 2-2 in the 41st minute. The match was completely chaotic and, in truth, the French side scored again before half-time: Davies handled the ball in the area and Dembélé made no mistake.

The second half began at a slower pace, but it quickly returned to the same rhythm as the opening 45 minutes. Konrad Laimer, who had been introduced at half-time, wasted a huge chance with a wayward effort from inside the six-yard box. In response, the Parisian side looked devastating and extended their lead.

Hakimi found Kvaratskhelia with a cut-back and the Georgian struck first time for his second of the night. Two minutes later, from a quick counter-attack, Dembélé cut inside and fired just inside the near post for the fifth goal.

However, the Bavarians are not known for giving in, and they threw everything forward. The Germans' courage was rewarded: in the 65th minute, Kimmich crossed to the far post, where Upamecano glanced a subtle header into the net. Later, Luis Diaz embarrassed Marquinhos one-on-one and scored to make it 5-4.

The tie remains open, and PSG head into the second leg with a narrow advantage. The match at Bayern's home, the Allianz Arena, is scheduled for 6 May at 8:00 pm. It should be remembered that Arsenal and Atlético Madrid are on the other side of the bracket.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.