Eko Hot Blog reports that Borussia Dortmund defeated Paris Saint-Germain both at home and away in the UEFA Champions League semi-final matchup, to reach their first final in 11 years.
On Wednesday, May 1, in the first leg of the tie held in Germany, Borussia Dortmund surprised PSG, with a goal in the 36th minute, courtesy of Niclas Füllkrug, the 31-year-old German forward.
During the 1-0 defeat, Kylian Mbappe, PSG’s talisman, was unable to make an impact, leading many football enthusiasts to consider it a fluke.
Unfortunately, a similar situation unfolded in the return leg at Parc des Princes on May 7, Kylian Mbappe couldn’t prevent a determined Dortmund from advancing to the Champions League final.
Hummels found the net just five minutes into the second half at the Parc des Princes, and PSG couldn’t find a comeback.
Dortmund captain, Emery Can against Kylian Mbappe of PSG
Despite their efforts, luck wasn’t on their side as they hit the woodwork four times in the game.
This marks Dortmund’s first final appearance since 2013, coincidentally also at Wembley, where Jurgen Klopp’s side suffered a defeat to Bayern Munich.
Hummels played in that final and here, 11 years later, he was the hero as Dortmund built on the advantage given to them by Niclas Fuellkrug’s goal in the first leg.
The goal was all the game produced as Borussia Dortmund ended PSG’s dream of winning the Champions League title with a 2-0 aggregate win.
“It’ll take us a bit of time to realise that, but we’re looking forward to it extremely.”
“We did it somehow, making it to London,” Dortmund coach Edin Terzic told broadcaster Amazon Prime of getting to the final.
PSG couldn’t find a goal
However, the focus of this semi-final narrative also revolves around PSG’s inability to succeed in another crucial knockout match in the competition.
Despite significant investment by their Qatari owners since the 2011 takeover, PSG has yet to secure the trophy.
Consequently, there will be no dream send-off for Mbappe.
Hence, Dortmund’s triumph sets them up for a showdown in the Champions League final on June 1, 2024, against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
The two teams, currently deadlocked at 2-2 on aggregate, will face off in Spain at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8.
Note that Dortmund, who sit fifth in the German Bundesliga, were never expected to go so far.
Regardless of whether they face Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the June 1 showpiece, they are considered underdogs.
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