Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain battled past Bayern Munich 5-4 in a pulsating Champions League semifinal first leg at the Parc des Princes a result that set a record for the most goals scored at this stage of the competition.
Two apiece from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé with a lone goal from João Neves powered the Parisians to victory, though Bayern pushed them every step of the way with goal contributions from Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Dayot Upamecano, and Luis Díaz.
It was the visitors who struck first, with Kane converting a penalty kick 17 minutes in his 54th goal of the season and 18th successful spot kick in his last 19 attempts for club and country.
PSG ultimately proved ruthlessly efficient in front of goal, with all five of their shots on target finding the back of the net past Manuel Neuer. The five goals conceded were the most Bayern had given up in a single game all season, and the defeat ended a 19-match unbeaten run for the Bavarian giants.
PSG are now eyeing history, looking to become only the second club to successfully defend the Champions League title in the competition’s modern format.
They arrive at this stage in formidable shape, having eliminated Liverpool 4-0 on aggregate in the quarterfinals, while Bayern dispatched Real Madrid in a 6-4 aggregate thriller of their own.
The second leg in Munich promises to be equally dramatic, with Bayern needing to overturn a one-goal deficit to keep their treble dreams alive.
