Paris Saint-Germain secured their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Liverpool at Anfield. The Ligue 1 champions triumphed 4-1 on penalties after a tense 120 minutes ended in a 1-1 aggregate draw, with Gianluigi Donnarumma proving to be the hero by saving two crucial spot-kicks.
Liverpool’s Strong Start and PSG’s Early Counter-Blow
Heading into the second leg with a slender 1-0 advantage from their first-leg victory in Paris, Liverpool were expected to start cautiously. However, Arne Slot’s men immediately took the game to their opponents, showing more attacking intent in the opening ten minutes than they had in the entire first leg.
Mohamed Salah was at the heart of Liverpool’s early attacking threat, forcing Nuno Mendes into an important block before weaving his way into the box and firing a separate effort narrowly wide. The Reds looked dominant, but their inability to capitalize on early chances came back to haunt them.
Despite their strong start, Liverpool found themselves trailing on the night in the 18th minute. Ousmane Dembélé, who had been a constant threat in the first leg, struck to level the tie on aggregate. The French winger combined with Bradley Barcola in a quick one-two, and while Ibrahima Konaté attempted to intercept Barcola’s pass, his touch only redirected the ball into Dembélé’s path. The former Barcelona star wasted no time, drilling his shot past Alisson Becker to make it 1-1 on aggregate.
Liverpool’s Response and Missed Opportunities
Liverpool attempted to respond quickly, with Konaté nearly making amends for his defensive error. The center-back unleashed a powerful long-range strike that forced Donnarumma into a strong save. The Reds continued to push forward, but PSG’s defense held firm, denying the hosts clear-cut chances.
PSG, meanwhile, showed glimpses of their attacking quality. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia came close to putting the visitors ahead on aggregate when his curling effort took a deflection off Ryan Gravenberch and flew narrowly over the crossbar. The Georgian winger’s creativity and dribbling caused Liverpool problems throughout the game, adding to the tension inside Anfield.
Second-Half Drama and Liverpool’s Growing Frustration
Slot’s men returned from the break with renewed urgency, determined to regain control. Within minutes of the restart, Dominik Szoboszlai found the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Liverpool continued to pile on the pressure, with Luis Diaz forcing Donnarumma into a stunning one-handed save from an Alexis Mac Allister corner.
Mac Allister’s deliveries from set-pieces were causing chaos in the PSG penalty area. One of his corners found Salah at the back post, but the Egyptian’s close-range strike was sensationally cleared off the line by Kvaratskhelia. The frustration among Liverpool players and fans grew as they struggled to find the crucial second goal.
Jarell Quansah then came inches away from scoring what could have been the winner. The young defender’s diving header from an Andrew Robertson free-kick struck the woodwork. However, even if the ball had found the net, the goal would have been ruled out for offside.
Extra Time: A Tense Standoff
With neither side able to break the deadlock, the match went into extra time. Liverpool’s relentless pressing seemed to have taken its toll, and PSG began to control possession more comfortably. The French champions had two quick chances to put the game beyond reach—Lucas Beraldo narrowly missed with a header from Kvaratskhelia’s cross, while Desire Doue’s shot whistled just past the post.
Liverpool, visibly exhausted from their high-energy approach, struggled to create any clear-cut chances in extra time. With both teams locked in a stalemate, the game inevitably headed to a penalty shootout.
Liverpool Vs PSG full penalty shootouts
Curtis Jones ❌, Darwin Nunez ❌
Vitinha ✅, Goncalo Ramos ✅, Ousmane Dembele ✅, Desire Doue ✅
Super saves from Gianluigi Donnarummapic.twitter.com/vv6t76hpR9 https://t.co/4thhDG0qPL
— Futa Fiti (@FutaFitii) March 12, 2025
Donnarumma’s Brilliance in the Shootout
Liverpool had history on their side going into the shootout, having won four of their last five penalty duels in European competitions. PSG, on the other hand, had never won a penalty shootout in UEFA history, their only previous attempt ending in defeat against Rangers in 2001.
However, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had other plans. The Italian shot-stopper immediately gave his side the advantage by saving Darwin Nunez’s opening penalty. The pressure mounted on Liverpool when Curtis Jones also saw his attempt denied by Donnarumma’s outstretched hands.
PSG’s penalty takers were clinical, converting each of their spot-kicks with confidence. With PSG holding a commanding 3-1 lead in the shootout, Desire Doue stepped up to take the decisive penalty. The young midfielder showed remarkable composure, sending Alisson the wrong way and sealing PSG’s passage to the quarter-finals.
Manager Reactions: Slot and Enrique Reflect on the Game
Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed his disappointment after the match, acknowledging his team’s missed opportunities.
“We created enough chances to win the game, but sometimes football is cruel,” Slot said. “In the second half, we completely dominated, but we just couldn’t find the finishing touch. We were the better team, but in knockout football, that doesn’t always matter.”
Meanwhile, PSG boss Luis Enrique praised his team’s resilience and Donnarumma’s heroics.
“This was a huge test for us, and I am proud of the way my players handled it,” Enrique said. “We knew Liverpool would come at us strong, but we remained patient. Donnarumma was outstanding—he showed why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.”
What’s Next for PSG and Liverpool?
PSG’s victory means they advance to the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will face either Club Brugge or Aston Villa. Their ability to withstand Liverpool’s relentless pressure and deliver in the crucial moments will boost their confidence for the next round.
For Liverpool, the defeat marks the end of their European campaign this season. Despite an impressive display at Anfield, their inability to convert chances cost them dearly. They must now shift their focus to domestic competitions, with the Premier League and FA Cup still offering them chances for silverware.
The result will be remembered for Donnarumma’s heroics and PSG’s resilience, as the French side finally broke their European penalty shootout curse to keep their Champions League dreams alive.
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