At the end of a thrilling encounter, it was Paris Saint-Germain who defeated Bayern Munich to qualify for the semifinals of the Club World Cup thanks to late goals from Desiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
While the first half wouldn’t see any goals, Dayot Upamecano was denied by the linesman’s flag after heading into the bottom corner following a free kick. The half was then marred by a late, serious injury to Jamal Musiala.
But more than that, this was a game constantly stretched. Both sides’ attacking prowess meant it was almost impossible to maintain much of a defensive shape. It was counter after counter, attack after attack, save after save. Total football epitomised by a last-ditch tackle from Kane on the edge of his own box.
It was a game only marred by a horror injury to Musiala after a coming together with Donnarumma on the stroke of halftime, one which caused real distress to players on both sides.
Then came the big chances. Neuer, who had excelled so much to this point, situated outside his area, passed the ball straight to Kvaratskhelia. He proceeded to slide the ball back (his second such intervention), before the ball fell to Dembélé, only just introduced, who trickled a shot wide of the open goal.
That was the warning shot, and on 78 minutes, Bayern were punished. This time it was Kane sloppy in position, facilitating a turnover which saw the ball played to Doué on the edge of the area. On his weaker left foot, he drilled a shot towards the near post, and Neuer was flat-footed, stationary, unable to stop the goal that had been coming.
There was still time for more drama. PSG were up on the scoreboard but soon down a man, as Pacho flew into the recently introduced Leon Goretzka, planting his studs into the lower leg of the German. Anthony Taylor pulled out a red card, and the leaders had to defend with just 10 men for the final eight minutes.
It looked like that would be a step too far. On 87 minutes, Olise whipped in another tremendous cross and Kane nodded home, alas, from beyond the defensive line once more. The linesman’s flag had saved les Parisiens again.
Then, PSG made things even harder for themselves: they wouldn’t finish the game with 10 men, but nine. It was a clash between two substitutes, as Hernández and Raphaël Guerreiro fought for the ball, and the latter was hit by a flying elbow. The Frenchman was dismissed against his former club, but even with the now significant numerical advantage, it was too little, too late for Bayern: PSG had done enough, and then did more, as Dembélé left his mark with a goal finished right into the far corner after a cutback from Achraf Hakimi.
Even after all of that, it still wasn’t over. Right at the end, a high boot from Nuno Mendes on Thomas Müller won Bayern a penalty, until once more, they were shortchanged: there was no contact, and after an agonising VAR delay, the penalty decision was chalked off.
PSG will now play Real Madrid in the semis. Real defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-2 to get to the semis.
