Bayern Munich advanced to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after beating Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 in the second leg of the round of 16 phase. Goals from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Serge Gnabry sealed another miserable Champions League exit for the French club. Thursday's encounter was a huge disappointment for PSG fans as it was the fifth time in seven seasons that their side had been eliminated in the round of 16.
Paris St Germain suffered a huge setback in the form of Neymar, who is sidelined for the rest of the season due to ankle injury. Christophe Gaultier's side relied heavily on the world-class attacking duo of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe when they locked horns with Bayern, who secured a commendable 1-0 win over PSG in the first leg.
Bayern took the lead after a boring first half
PSG right-back Achraf Hakimi tried to score in the first half, but Bayern goalkeeper Yann Sommer saved the shot but fed the ball straight to midfielder Vitinha, who fired into the empty net, but Matthijs de Ligt made a fine block. Apart from this, the first half was a dull contest between the two teams.
Julian Nagelsmann's men was about to take a 3-0 lead when Choupo-Moting flicked on a cross into the net after the break, but the move was ruled offside after Thomas Muller tried to get the final touch. The Cameroon forward did not have to wait long for his goal as he gave Bayern the lead in the 61st minute. Gnabry scored another in the 89th minute to seal a comfortable win for his team.
PSG HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED FROM THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IN THE ROUND OF 16 😱😱 pic.twitter.com/6ErJ7VaTxs
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 8, 2023
It seems unlucky for PSG as they reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League in four consecutive seasons between 2013 and 2016 but still failed to win their first European title. The Qatar-backed club reached their only final in 2020 and eliminated in the last four the following season.
Taking about PSG star Messi, the UCL curse has been haunting him for the past 8 years. Since 2016, the Argentina icon has failed to make it big in the Champions League and this is the second time he has crumbled in front of Bayern Munich.
The UCL course is real for Lionel Messi.. pic.twitter.com/sfl9WDcaL0
— The Football Arena (@thefootyarena) March 9, 2023
Here are some reaction from fans:
So the top 2 world cup scorers can't score a goal on a team in 180 min...that says a lot about the quality of football in the wc.. but yet he's your goat cuz he has one..
— Eduardo B. Jordan (@edreyes34) March 8, 2023
Psg is that one noob Fifa player with all the ultimate packs
— Anurag Gusain (@AnuragG88) March 8, 2023
Oil money can't buy success.
— kendrickmclaren (@kendrickmclare1) March 8, 2023
What’s the point of having a star studded team?
— Prithvi Raj (@Prithvi49214273) March 9, 2023
PSG looked very weak in front of the mighty Bayern. There is no bench strength for PSG. There might be few injuries but the quality is lacking. Bayern definitely are one of the favourites to win this year champions league. #BAYPSG #BayernMunich #UCL
— Hemanth Srichandra (@HemanthKedari) March 8, 2023
Mbappe ghosting in big games as usual
— Majorfut (@Majorfutbalista) March 8, 2023
no one’s suprised
— c (@BookerSavedMe) March 8, 2023
Thank goodness for another year, another PSG non-UCL winning season, all is right in the world again
— York United FC Supporters 💚⚽️💙 (@YorkSupporters) March 8, 2023
Nothing more to say.
— unknown (@crrrrr__77777) March 8, 2023
And there wasn't single penalty goal too
🔥 pic.twitter.com/w23UV5lkMm