Borussia Dortmund vs PSG LIVE: Champions League semi-final result and reaction as Fullkrug scores winner
Dortmund 1-0 PSG: Niclas Fullkrug’s first half strike was the difference at the Signal Iduna Park
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Borussia Dortmund took a step closer to the Champions League final after defeating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 at the Signal Iduna Park in their semi-final first leg.
The hosts controlled the match from kick off and were made to work with Jadon Sancho in particular a fierce threat on the right hand side.
It was a simple over the top pass from Nico Schlotterbeck that brought the goal. Niclas Fullkrug nipping in behind and slotting past Gianluigi Donnarumma for the opener.
PSG started the second half in blistering fashion with Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi both hitting the post but theyr were unable to draw level and will trail by one goal when the tie continues in Paris next week.
Relive the updates from the Champions League semi-final first leg, below, and get the latest Borussia Dortmund vs PSG predictions and odds here.
Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl, speaking to TNT Sports:
“Everyone is looking forward [to the game]. It’s a great stadium with a great atmosphere. To be in the last four teams is a big achievement, we want to use these two matches to get to Wembley.
“The team is full of energy and I am pretty optimistic.”
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
Matchday 1 was Paris’s third successive European game against German opponents, having lost home and away against Bayern in last season’s round of 16.
A 3-2 first-leg win at Bayern in the quarter-finals three seasons ago is Paris’s only victory in their last seven games in Germany (D2 L4).
A 3-1 defeat at Bayern on Matchday 6 of the 2017/18 Champions League ended Paris’s seven-match unbeaten run against German clubs, home and away (W5 D2). Their overall record since then is W6 D2 L6.
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
That 2020 tie against PSG was Dortmund’s last contest against a French club before Matchday 1 this year.
Dortmund were unbeaten in their first six home games against French clubs (W3 D3) but have lost two of the subsequent six matches, winning three.
Defeat in Paris four seasons ago ended Dortmund’s three-game winning run against French opponents. They have now lost two of the last three, drawing the other.
Borussia Dortmund are the anti-establishment – can they be saviours of the Champions League?
As Borussia Dortmund prepare for their biggest European game in 11 years, they’re also thinking about next year. There is increasing talk around the club about bringing former manager Jurgen Klopp back as head of football in 2025.
For some at Dortmund, this is the inevitable end point of a long period harking back to the 2010-13 glory era, with the club constantly rehiring familiar figures. This isn’t necessarily seen as a good thing, either. There is a strong argument it has prevented the club from progressing. They don’t even have a truly great young talent they can sell on right now, a policy that has sustained the club in past seasons.
Can Borussia Dortmund be the saviours of the Champions League?
Not a mega club and not state-owned, can BVB upset the odds and triumph at Wembley?
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
The teams’ only other meetings came in the 2010/11 Europa League group stage, when both games ended all square.
An 87th-minute goal from Paris substitute Clément Chantôme cancelled out Nuri Şahin’s penalty opener for Dortmund five minutes into the second half on Matchday 3.
The game at the Parc des Princes two weeks later finished goalless.
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
The teams crossed paths in the 2019/20 Champions League round of 16, Paris overturning a first-leg defeat to win 3-2 on aggregate on their way to the final, which they would lose to Bayern.
Dortmund were 2-1 winners in the opening game in Germany, Erling Haaland scoring twice on his first European appearance for the club either side of Neymar’s 75th-minute leveller.
The Brazilian struck again at the Parc des Princes to level the tie, Neymar scoring in the 28th minute before Juan Bernat got what proved to be the decisive goal of the contest a minute into first-half added time.
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
Paris were victorious at the Parc des Princes on 19 September thanks to goals early in the second half from Kylian Mbappé and former Dortmund full-back Achraf Hakimi.
The French side needed a 56th-minute equaliser from Warren Zaïre-Emery to rescue that crucial 1-1 draw in Dortmund on 13 December, Karim Adeyemi having put the home side in front five minutes earlier.
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
PSG, meanwhile, are in the last four for the third time in five seasons and the fourth overall – but have won only one of their previous contests at this stage, and none over two legs.
The winners of this tie will play Bayern or Real Madrid in the final at Wembley on 1 June.
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
This is Borussia Dortmund’s fourth Champions League semi-final and a first since reaching the final in 2012/13, when they were beaten by Bayern Munich in the decider at Wembley.
With this season’s final also being played in London could we see a repeat of that showpiece match with both German clubs getting there?
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain meet for the third time in this season’s Champions League with a place in the final the prize for the winners of their semi-final tie.
The pair were drawn together in Group F with Paris winning 2-0 in France on Matchday 1 before the teams met again in Germany on Matchday 6.
With Dortmund already through to the round of 16, Paris needed a 1-1 draw to join their hosts in the knockout rounds, BVB finishing with 11 points in the section, three above their French visitors, who edged out AC Milan on head-to-head record.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments