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Dortmund's Jadon Sancho Wows Fans in UCL Semifinal Leg 1 Win vs. Kylian Mbappé, PSG

May 1, 2024
DORTMUND, GERMANY - MAY 01: Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund shows appreciation to the fans at full-time following the team's victory in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on May 01, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - MAY 01: Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund shows appreciation to the fans at full-time following the team's victory in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on May 01, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Paris Saint-Germain's wait for a Champions League title may drag on for yet another season.

The newly crowned Ligue 1 champions fell 1-0 to Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their semifinal clash Wednesday. Niclas Füllkrug's goal in the 36th minute was the difference in the match.

Given the sheer amount of talent on display, plenty of fans expected a prominent attacker to take center stage at Signal Iduna Park; Jadon Sancho wouldn't have been high on the list, though.

Maybe the 24-year-old simply loves putting on a Dortmund shirt. The commanding performance he delivered on the right flank was a common sight during his first spell in Germany and has been decidedly lacking following his move to Manchester United.

It was a tougher night for the player Sancho helped to replace years ago. Ousmane Dembélé had an opportunity to deal a major blow to his old club as PSG searched for an equalizer deep into the second half.

Instead, he skied his effort from inside the 18-yard box over the bar in the 81st minute.

It was that kind of night for Paris Saint-Germain, which collectively lacked the finishing touch.

Perhaps no club has been more synonymous with heartbreak and disappointment on the European stage than PSG over the last decade. The Parisians have spared no expense in pursuit of a winner's medal since Qatar Sports Investments executed its takeover in 2011, and they've largely succeeded only in becoming a running joke.

That Paris Saint-Germain couldn't secure a draw, even away from home, against the fifth-best team in the Bundesliga is a result that will lead a lot of world football fans to believe we know how this story is going to end in the return fixture.

The second leg will get underway at Parc des Princes on May 7.

Nobody should count out PSG considering this isn't even the worst position it has found itself in heading home in the second half of a knockout tie. The postmortems were probably being written the moment Raphinha put Barcelona ahead 4-2 on aggregate in the quarterfinals. Then Paris Saint-Germain scored four unanswered goals.

One thing is clear: Lady luck will need to shine on Luis Enrique's squad a lot more than it did Wednesday night for the turnaround to happen.

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich Thrill Fans in Highlight-Packed UCL Semifinal Leg 1 Draw

Apr 30, 2024
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid CF on April 30, 2024 in Munich, southern Germany. (Photo by Michaela STACHE / AFP) (Photo by MICHAELA STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammates during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid CF on April 30, 2024 in Munich, southern Germany. (Photo by Michaela STACHE / AFP) (Photo by MICHAELA STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

Somehow, someway, Real Madrid always gets the job done in Europe.

The Spanish giant played to a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal tie.

Having already scored the opener, Vinícius Júnior delivered the equalizer from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute.

It was a moment that encapsulated the sense of inevitability that hangs over Madrid in this competition. Regardless of how the club is performing on a given night or across a season, this is where it thrives.

Vinícius scored with Real Madrid's first shot of the game and there was no doubt he'd rise to the occasion to square things up at two goals apiece.

https://twitter.com/EastStandBen/status/1785409833048432733

Bayern Munich is probably equal parts encouraged and disappointed with how the first leg unfolded.

The Champions League is the Bavarians' last chance at winning a big trophy this year and earning a draw against Real Madrid isn't the worst-case scenario. If anything, it's better than some may have expected given the inconsistency from Thomas Tuchel's squad all year.

Bayern fans might have thought it was going to be their night when Leroy Sané got on the score sheet. His last goal came all the way back in October. Instead, the foul by Min-jae Kim on Rodrygo deep into the second half brought a hush over Allianz Arena.

Failing to protect a 2-1 lead at home could prove very costly.

The second leg kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on May 8. Bayern Munich shouldn't be lacking in motivation since its season rides on capturing a seventh European Cup. But you can't shake the feeling Real Madrid — only 90 minutes away from the final — will once again find a winning formula when it matters.

Arsenal Fans Demand New Striker Signing in Summer After UCL QF Loss vs. Bayern Munich

Apr 17, 2024
MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 17: Kai Havertz of Arsenal FC and Declan Rice of Arsenal FC look dejected during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Bayern München and Arsenal FC at Allianz Arena on April 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Silas Schueller/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 17: Kai Havertz of Arsenal FC and Declan Rice of Arsenal FC look dejected during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Bayern München and Arsenal FC at Allianz Arena on April 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Silas Schueller/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Arsenal remains within striking distance of Manchester City in the Premier League title race, but a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich potentially exposed how much work is still ahead for manager Mikel Arteta to make the club a serious threat in the Champions League again.

The two sides played to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their quarterfinal tie. On Wednesday, Joshua Kimmich's header in the 63rd minute was enough to propel Bayern to the semis.

Arsenal's Kai Havertz has had his moments this season. His nine goals and five assists in the Premier League are already his most in a single season since coming to England in 2020-21. The club, meanwhile, has the second-highest goal tally in the PL.

However, the Gunners were badly missing the cutting edge with Havertz leading the line, which has occasionally been the case when the German lines up as the central striker. Gabriel Jesus' introduction in the 68th minute did little to change things.

Not surprisingly, supporters used Wednesday's defeat to renew calls for reinforcements in the summer:

Especially if Arsenal fail to overtake Manchester City in the Premier League, Wednesday's match will sting even more in retrospect. Bayern Munich is as vulnerable as it's been in years, yet Arsenal could hardly muster anything in the final third with the tie hanging in the balance.

https://twitter.com/paddypower/status/1780699450580902368

Heading into last summer, Arteta and his staff had a clear target in mind when it came to the transfer market. They knew Declan Rice was exactly the kind of player they needed in the midfield, and he has been worth every penny so far.

Looking ahead to the next window, there isn't the same kind of obvious answer to what remains a glaring issue. It's easy enough to say Arsenal could use a traditional centre-forward, but identifying one who seamlessly fits into Arteta's system is much more difficult.

Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar will have their work cut out for them.

Top Winners and Losers After Tuesday's Champions League Quarter-Finals Leg 2 Results

Apr 16, 2024
BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates victory in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 16, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates victory in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 16, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

What in the wide world of sports just happened?

Champions League drama at its finest (and zaniest), that's what.

Borussia Dortmund advanced to the UCL semifinals with a 4-2 victory over Atlético Madrid (5-4 aggregate), while PSG got past 10-man Barcelona 4-1 (6-4 aggregate).

Below, we'll break down the winners and losers from two of the most bizarre and compelling matches of the season.

Winner: Dortmund's Finishing

What a performance from Dortmund.

Needing to win to advance, the German side jumped out to a 2-0 lead behind goals from Julian from Julian Brandt and Ian Maatsen.

But in typical Dortmund fashion the lead dissolved, as the back line couldn't preserve the advantage.

The side wasn't to be denied on this day, however, as Niclas Füllkrug and Marcel Sabitzer provided the crushing blows to Atlético.

Dortmund's resolve and ability to come up big in the clutch has come into question in the past. Look no further than the final Matchweek of the 2022-23 campaign. But on Tuesday, at least, Dortmund was made of the right stuff.

Loser: Barca's Composure

It all went wrong for Barcelona, but it didn't start that way.

When Raphinha scored the game's first goal to give Barcelona a two-goal advantage in aggregate, it sure looked like the Catalans were off to the semifinals.

And then, calamity.

Ronald Araújo was sent off on a straight red for denying what was deemed a clear goal-scoring opportunity:

Xavi and goalkeeping coach De La Fuente were also sent off on reds:

João Cancelo fouled Ousmane Dembélé in the box, setting up Kylian Mbappé for a penalty that would give PSG the advantage in aggregate:

And by the time the dust settled, a 10-man Barca conceded four goals and continued what has been an absolute nightmare of a season.

Just another miserable night in Barcelona.

Winner: PSG's Opportunism

Yes, PSG were handed the man advantage in the first half. But they also were trailing by two goals in aggregate at the time and needed a heroic performance to get back into the proceedings.

They offered just that, and then some:

Barcelona will rue the lack of composure, but PSG truly made them pay for every last error. An impressive display of maximizing the opportunities handed to you by the Parisiens.

Loser: Atlético's Normally Stout Defense

Coming into Tuesday, Atlético Madrid had given up four or more goals just twice this season. Diego Simeone's charges were not in the business of having full defensive meltdowns.

That made the collapse against Dortmund all the more surprising.

In a strange evening of football, perhaps it was only fitting that Atlético lost its identity.

Top Winners and Losers After Wednesday's Champions League Quarter-Finals Leg 1 Result

Apr 10, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 10: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona at Parc des Princes on April 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 10: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona at Parc des Princes on April 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

It's hard to imagine a better week of Champions League football than we just witnessed.

After Tuesday's pair of scintillating draws, Barcelona beat PSG in Paris, 3-2, while Atlético Madrid held on for a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund.

Neither match lacked for drama. Let's break down the winners and losers from both.

Winner: Raphinha

When you get a brace away from home, helping your side clinch a vital lead in the first leg, you get a winner's section. Those are the rules.

And any time you are mentioned in the same breath as Lionel Messi, you definitely get a winner's section:

He was undoubtedly the receipient of some excellent service from his teammates in the build-up. But Raphinha finished with class, and Barca are one step closer to the semifinals because of him.

Loser: Kylian Mbappé and PSG's Chances to Advance

PSG had a flurry of brilliance in the second half, scoring two goals in two minutes to take a momentary lead.

But other than that, Barcelona often looked the better side on the night. Now, PSG has to travel to Camp Nou and attempt to steal a win to advance. No easy task, that.

To do so, they'll need a far bigger night from Kylian Mbappé than they got on Wednesday.

https://twitter.com/TheEuropeanLad/status/1778164584274166011

PSG's disappointments in the UCL are well-documented at this point. They appear headed for another one, barring a major change in form before the second leg.

Winner: Xavi

Xavi's soon-to-be-finished tenure at Barcelona has had its ups and downs, but there's no questioning that he pulled all the levers with his substitutions and tactics on Wednesday.

It was a good night for Xavi. Another one will see Barca through to the semifinals.

Loser: Dortmund's Self-Inflicted Errors

Oh Dortmund, what are we doing here?

Or here?

You can not give teams at this level an easy chance to break with numbers. Those mistakes are killer. You also can't let an Atlético Madrid side that wants to slow down the game and constrict your attacking space an early lead. It's a recipe for disaster.

Dortmund at least pulled one back, giving them hope for the return tie in Germany.

But playing from behind against Atlético is not where you want to be.

Winner: Atlético Madrid's Pragmatic Approach

Look, you may not like the way Diego Simeone has his team play, but there's no doubting that it often works, at least at home.

Granted, a bit of luck was involved too—Dortmund hit the woodwork twice in this match, including with the last touch of the game. And the German side will feel that it handed Atlético both goals on a platter.

But ultimately, the Spanish side came away with the crucial early advantage. It was a job well done at home.

Barcelona Fans Hail Raphinha, Comeback in UCL QF 1st Leg Win vs. Kylian Mbappé, PSG

Apr 10, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 10: Raphinha of FC Barcelona reacts after scoring during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona at Parc des Princes on April 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images) (Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 10: Raphinha of FC Barcelona reacts after scoring during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona at Parc des Princes on April 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images) (Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images)

Barcelona is in control of their 2024 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal matchup against Paris St-Germain.

The Spanish LaLiga club came into PSG's Parc des Princes and emerged with a 3-2 victory in Wednesday's first leg. Raphinha scored a brace with the second one coming on an excellent pass from Pedri, and Andreas Christensen played the role of hero with the winner on a header in the 77th minute.

Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha each scored in a two-minute burst in the second half for PSG, but it wasn't enough to win their home leg.

That means the advantage belongs to Raphinha and Barcelona after a performance that drew plenty of reaction from social media:

There was no shortage of storylines in the matchup between these two historic clubs with PSG sitting atop French Ligue 1 and Barcelona in second place in Spanish LaLiga behind only Real Madrid. The visitors also entered with four straight wins, including a victory over Napoli in the Champions League.

This year's Champions League also represents the final opportunity for Kylian Mbappé to capture the trophy with PSG before he departs this summer. On the other side, Barcelona head coach Xavi could win it for his club before stepping aside after the season.

While both sides created early opportunities in a back-and-forth first half, it was Barcelona that opened the scoring in the 37th minute.

PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma came out to challenge a cross, but it was deflected to a wide-open Raphinha. The forward took full advantage of the golden opportunity and buried the shot into the back of an open net.

Still, it was only a matter of time before the home team announced their presence, and announce it they did.

Dembélé unleashed a left-footed rocket through the narrowest of windows for the equalizer against his old club in the 48th minute, and Vitinha made a run into the box and snuck Fabián Ruiz's assist into the bottom corner of the goal just two minutes later.

It would have been easy for Barcelona to fold and start focusing on the ensuing home leg, but they did the exact opposite.

Pedri dropped an incredible lob pass over Raphinha's shoulder for a left-footed one-timer to tie the score in the 62nd minute before Christensen came straight off the bench to head in a corner and give the visitors the lead.

PSG responded by forcing the issue and pressing forward, but Barcelona's defense stood strong against Mbappé and Co. for the remainder to take the lead into Tuesday's second leg in front of their fans.

Top Winners and Losers After Tuesday's Champions League Quarter-Finals Leg 1 Results

Apr 9, 2024
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 9: Vinicius Júnior and Dani Caravajal of Real Madrid CF celebrates a goal during the Quarter-final First Leg - UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 9, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 9: Vinicius Júnior and Dani Caravajal of Real Madrid CF celebrates a goal during the Quarter-final First Leg - UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 9, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Now that was a proper day of Champions League football.

In the first quarterfinal matchup, Real Madrid and Manchester City finished even at three goals apiece. In the other, Arsenal and Bayern Munich finished even at 2-2. And fans of UCL football were the true winners in it all.

But they weren't alone. Below, we'll break down the winners and losers from a pair of quarterfinal opening legs we won't soon forget.

Winner: Bayern Munich and Manchester City Staying Level Away From Home

Bayern Munich and Manchester City will feel it's a job well done after securing a draw away from home, ensuring they'll have the chance to advance in a week when they host the second legs of what are proving to be brilliant matchups.

It was particularly impressive for Bayern Munich, considering they were banned from having any away supporters for this match after their supporters threw fireworks on the pitch against Lazio. This was an Emirates Stadium filled to the brim with Arsenal supporters and Bayern navigated it with aplomb.

As for City, the club drew away at Real Madrid last year as well before smashing Los Blancos 4-0 at home. It will be hoping for a reprise again this season.

Loser: Arsenal's Defensive Composure

Both of Bayern Munich's goals were heavily aided by Arsenal's sloppiness.

On the first, David Raya unnecessarily came far out of his goal on a long ball forward that Gabriel easily handled, leaving the centre-back without an outlet pass. That sent Arsenal into disarray, Gabriel missed an easy pass, Bayern shot forward on the counter and Declan Rice let a man streak behind him, leading to the eventual Serge Gnabry equalizer.

On the second goal, again on a counter, about three defenders whiffed at the ball before William Saliba committed a penalty in the box, sending Harry Kane to the free spot. He didn't miss.

This was a game that Arsenal controlled rather comfortably throughout, but those two moments of disorganization and sloppiness cost them dearly. The Gunners will need to clean up those types of errors heading into the second leg.

Winner: A Day of Elite Finishing

Put simply, almost every goal on Tuesday was a thing of beauty.

You've seen the Bayern goals already, but here were Arsenal's efforts from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard (with a tip of the cap to Gabriel Jesus' fancy footwork to set him up):

It only gets better from there.

Every City goal on the evening got progressively more impressive, culminating in Joško Gvardiol's absolute stunner:

And while Real Madrid's first goal was a bit fortuitous, benefitting from a lucky deflection, Rodrygo gave Los Blancos a cheeky lead and Federico Valverde nearly disenegrated the ball with his powerful first-timer:

You can't ask for much more than that from a collection of goals. Pure class on display in both games.

Loser: Controversial Calls

From the fun to the frustrating. It just wouldn't be a day of Champions League football without some officiating controversies.

Arsenal, more than any other side, may be feeling aggrieved with some of the decisions that went against them on Tuesday. The first was a Harry Kane yellow for a high elbow that arguably could have been a red:

https://twitter.com/TheShortFuse/status/1777791981692789180

The second controversial moment came nearly at the final whistle, as Saka broke free on goal and was clipped by Manuel Neuer in the box:

Those in favor of the non-call would argue that Saka was looking for the contact and created it with his run. Those against it would say he made an effort to go around Neuer and was clearly clipped on the leg by the goalkeeper, sending him to the ground.

Bayern were also upset that a potential handball wasn't given in their favor during the game:

If both sides don't have something to complain about in regards to the referee, are you even footballing properly?

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