Dembele Double Sinks Liverpool as PSG Cruise Into Champions League Semifinals
The reigning European champions, Paris Saint-Germain, continued their quest for back-to-back titles on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, as they silenced Liverpool with a 2-0 win at Anfield, progressing 4-0 on aggregate to the semifinals.
Despite a spirited effort from Arne Slot’s side, PSG remained the more clinical outfit over the two legs. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele effectively ended any hopes of a Liverpool comeback, netting a stunning goal from the edge of the area in the 73rd minute before adding a second in stoppage time (91st minute) to seal the victory.
Liverpool entered the match trailing 2-0 from the first leg, and Arne Slot took significant risks in an attempt to orchestrate a comeback. The Reds saw Alexander Isak make his first start since breaking his leg in December, though the Swedish forward was limited to just 45 minutes of action before being replaced by Cody Gakpo at halftime.
The match was marred by a controversial decision in the 66th minute. Italian referee Maurizio Mariani initially awarded Liverpool a penalty after Alexis Mac Allister was fouled, but the call was overturned following a VAR review—a moment that could have fundamentally shifted the momentum of the tie.
The victory came at a steep physical cost for both clubs. In a distressing incident, PSG star forward Hugo Ekitike suffered a potentially serious non-contact ankle injury in the first half, forcing him off just after the half-hour mark. Mohamed Salah entered the game as his replacement. PSG also lost Desire Doue and Nuno Mendes to injuries during the contest.
With this result, PSG advances to the semifinals from Anfield as the most dominant side of the quarterfinal stage.
PSG now awaits the winner of the tie between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, with Bayern currently holding a 2-1 lead heading into their second leg on Wednesday. PSG and Atletico Madrid have already secured their places in the final four, after the La Liga side eliminated Barcelona.
