Sports

Liverpool crash out of Champions League as PSG hold nerve in penalty drama

PSG will meet either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in quarters, with Villa taking a 3-1 lead into Wednesday's second leg

By AFP
March 12, 2025
Liverpools Darwin Nunez has his shot saved by Paris St Germains Gianluigi Donnarumma during the penalty shoot-out on March 11, 2025. — Reuters
Liverpool's Darwin Nunez has his shot saved by Paris St Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma during the penalty shoot-out on March 11, 2025. — Reuters

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League after Paris Saint-Germain held their nerve in a tense penalty shoot-out at Anfield, with Gianluigi Donnarumma’s crucial saves proving decisive following Ousmane Dembele’s early goal that levelled the tie on aggregate.

Trailing 1-0 from last week’s first leg in Paris, PSG levelled the tie on aggregate thanks to Ousmane Dembele’s early strike at Anfield.

There were plenty of chances but no further goals at the end of 90 minutes or extra time, taking the tie to a shoot-out.

PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma then performed heroics by saving penalties from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones, while all four of the away side’s kicks were converted by Vitinha, Goncalo Ramos, Dembele and Desire Doue.

The French champions, who have never won the competition, now advance to a quarter-final tie next month against either Aston Villa or Club Brugge.

Villa host the Belgian side on Wednesday and lead 3-1 from the first leg.