Ousmane Dembele’s early strike in North London has proved decisive for Paris Saint-Germain, who have come away with a 1-0 win over Arsenal in a UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match on Tuesday night.
The French forward struck after four minutes of action at the Emirates Stadium, meeting Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cutback just inside the Arsenal area and sending a first-time shot into the bottom corner of David Raya’s goal.
Kvaratskhelia had a strong shout for a penalty in the 15th minute after going down while trying to get away from Jurrien Timber, but his appeals were waved off by the match referee
Arsenal had the ball in the net two minutes into the second half when a Declan Rice free-kick was headed in by Mikel Merino from close range, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after a lengthy check with the VAR.
PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was on hand to also frustrate the Gunners, denying Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard with stunning saves, while Bukayo Saka was marshalled for most of the night by Joao Neves.
Two of the French champions’ substitutes came close to getting a second goal that would have made the tie more comfortable going into the second leg, but Bradley Barcola dragged a shot narrowly wide before Goncalo Ramos sent an effort crashing off the crossbar.
The visitors held on to claim a crucial win and become the first French club to win away from home in a European Cup/Champions League semi-final since Olympique Marseille did so against Spartak Moscow with a 3-1 victory back in 1991.
For Arsenal, it is a first loss in front of home fans in what is their last Champions League match at the Emirates Stadium this season, with Mikel Arteta’s men now needing to win the return leg next Wednesday in Paris to reach a first UCL final since 2006.