Arsenal went crashing out of the Champions League with a 2-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the second-leg of their semi-final tie on Wednesday night. Goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi sealed a 3-1 aggregate win for the French giants despite Bukayo Saka’s second-half strike, and they will go on to face Inter in the final.
What happened?
Mikel Arteta’s men threatened early into the encounter at Parc des Princes when Declan Rice rose above Marquinhos to meet a dangerous ball, but his header went wide. Shortly afterwards, Gianluigi Donnarumma stopped a Gabriel Martinelli effort from six yards out before saving again from Martin Odegaard.
PSG managed to poke holes in Arsenal after a while and came close when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia hit the post from the edge of the box. William Saliba put his team under pressure, meanwhile, when his wayward pass gave the hosts a clear run at goal, but the defender was relieved to see Desire Doue squander the chance.
Read More: Arsenal’s Rice fired up for PSG semi-final second leg
F. Ruiz’s strike breaks the deadlock
Disaster struck for the visitors through the guise of Fabian Ruiz, who brought down Thomas Partey’s failed clearance, picked his moment and his spot and lashed home a beauty from 18 yards. Arsenal were then scrambling again moments later through a Kvaratskhelia-led counter-attack, but Rice slid in to prevent Bradley Barcola from doubling PSG’s lead.
Midway through the second half, Saka saw a fine strike saved by Donnarumma to show Arsenal were still in the game. They were, however, dealt a brutal blow moments later when the referee was told to check the pitch side monitor to review a possible handball in the Gunners’ box, ending with the official pointing to the spot. Vitinha, however, hesitated in the run up and David Raya got low to keep it out.
Read More: Wenger backs Arsenal against PSG ahead of UCL second leg duel
The renewed hope did not last long, though. Partey again failed to deal with the danger as Achraf Hakimi rushed in to meet Kvaratskhelia’s pass and combined with substitute Ousmane Dembele before a fine finish.
With 15 minutes left, Arsenal pulled one back as Leandro Trossard won the ball and found Saka, who steered it beyond Donnarumma. He then had a great chance to pull his team level in the evening when faced with an open goal but he missed the target as the north London team’s European dream came to an end.
What’s next?
Paris Saint-Germain have now booked a spot in the Champions League final for the second time in five years and will face Italian giants, Inter Milan at Munich, Germany on May 31st.
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