Champions League Semifinals: PSG stun Bayern, Atletico hold Arsenal at first hurdle
After a 5-4 victory in Paris and a 1-1 stalemate in Madrid, the return legs are set for Munich and London, with the final scheduled for Budapest.
Paris Saint-Germain have secured a decisive 5-4 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of the 2026 UEFA Champions League semifinal at the Parc des Princes. The match, coached by Luis Enrique, saw the French side overcome the German champions in a high-scoring encounter that has left the return fixture in Munich as a critical battleground.
While PSG held a three-goal lead for a period, they ultimately conceded four goals in the second half, leaving the tie open. Despite the dramatic nature of the 5-4 scoreline, the performance of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, and Desire Doué was highlighted as sensational, delivering one of the best semifinals in the competition's history.
Bayern Munich, having already secured the Bundesliga title, are considered slight favourites for the second leg due to the advantage of playing at home in front of their own fans at the Allianz Arena. The German club, who have not lifted the trophy since the 2019–20 season, will look to capitalise on their home support in Munich to overturn the deficit.
In the other semifinal, Atletico Madrid held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at the Metropolitano Stadium under the management of Diego Simeone. The Spanish side maintained good form in European competition despite the stalemate, demonstrating their ability to compete at the highest level outside of their domestic league.
Arsenal, aiming to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years, faced rotation constraints ahead of the return leg due to ongoing Premier League commitments against Fulham. Mikel Arteta's side did not show their best version at the Metropolitano, raising questions about their ability to perform consistently in Europe compared to their domestic form.
The return legs are scheduled for the Allianz Arena in Munich and the Emirates Stadium in London. The 2026 UEFA Champions League final is set to take place in Budapest on 30 May, where the two remaining clubs will battle for the biggest trophy in club soccer.
