PSG secured a place in the Champions League knockout stage with a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund, thanks to Warren Zaïre-Emery’s goal. The 17-year-old Zaïre-Emery equalized five minutes after Karim Adeyemi scored for Dortmund.
PSG’s progression was further ensured by AC Milan’s 2-1 win over Newcastle in the other Group F match. Following Newcastle’s loss, PSG claimed the second spot alongside Dortmund for the next round, while Milan moved to third place, advancing to the Europa League knockout round playoffs.
“We took advantage of the result in Newcastle,” acknowledged PSG coach Luis Enrique. Kylian Mbappé thought he had secured the group-topping victory for his team against Dortmund when he scored past Gregor Kobel inside the far post in the 72nd minute. However, the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR check. Both teams missed several early opportunities.
Champions League: PSG advances, AC Milan eliminates Newcastle, Barcelona stunned
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“It was a back-and-forth contest with the potential for more goals, but I believe a draw is a fair result,” commented Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl.
In the first half, Dortmund defender Niklas Süle made a spectacular sliding goal-line clearance to deny Mbappé, Bradley Barcola hit the post, and Randall Kolo Muani narrowly missed his shot as PSG dominated. Dortmund coach Edin Terzić described Süle’s clearance as “equivalent to scoring a goal for us.”
PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Marco Reus and Salih Özcan at the other end.
Adeyemi broke the deadlock in the 51st minute after Ramy Bensebaini pressured Marquinhos in defense, and Niclas Füllkrug provided the ball for the German forward to slot it in off the right post.
However, Dortmund’s defense couldn’t stop Mbappé from delivering a cross from the left. Barcola passed it back for Zaïre-Emery to slot in a low shot from a central position.
“You could observe their quality in combination and with a bit of space,” noted Terzić. “Being first in this group is not a result you can take for granted, so we’re very satisfied with that.”
At just 17 years and 280 days old, Zaïre-Emery made history as the youngest French player to score in the Champions League, surpassing the achievements of fellow countrymen Karim Benzema, Mbappé, and Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tels when they scored their first goals in the competition.
Ultimately, this feat ensured PSG’s progression to the last 16 for the 12th consecutive season. Milan would have needed PSG to lose for their own advancement instead.
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