Another Tuesday, an evening of undiluted Champions League drama.
We now know that Paris Saint-Germain will face either Borussia Dortmund or Manchester City in the semi-finals, after banishing the ghosts in last season’s final by defeating Bayern Munich.
Elsewhere, Chelsea beat Porto in a game that was a little too neutral to enjoy until the final seconds.
ft. WE ARE FOR THE #UCL SEMI-FINALS! #CHEPOR pic.twitter.com/EmX9uf7377
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 13, 2021
ALLEZ PARIS? ❤️? pic.twitter.com/MI8b3UOmi5
– Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) April 13, 2021
In Paris, things got off to a captivating, if not obviously dramatic, start. Things really clicked in the gear just before the break when Neymar hit the crossbar and then the post in quick succession.
Forget the result line. Watching Neymar in this form is just .. pic.twitter.com/WkdtOXrJQ2
– AFCAMDEN (@AFCAMDEN) April 13, 2021
neymar hits the bar since the post … pic.twitter.com/QXMFdNPeBh
– amke (@marcxney) April 13, 2021
Mbappe and Neymar are a complete joy to see as a neutral when the result line does not mean anything to you
– Layth (@ laythy29) April 13, 2021
Neymar absolutely plays with Bayern defenders but failing to make 3 big chances makes you wonder. Sometimes the hardest skill to perform in big games is to take your chances and seal the winnings.
Underestimated ability of many. pic.twitter.com/0H1OGTi9Cj
– ᴀ. (@GreatWhiteNueve) April 13, 2021
I can not help but feel that Neymar should have made his chance
– Scott Saunders (@_scottsaunders) April 13, 2021
In the classic Champions League way, a few seconds after Neymar’s second close shave, Bayern edged in front.
The goal scorer? No less than the former PSG man Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Twitter absolutely loved it.
Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting spent in mid-August an offer from Serie B side Lecce – now he has as many goals in this two-legged deal as Kylian Mbappé – football, as life, comes to you quickly.
– Get French football news (@GFFN) April 13, 2021
2 – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has scored more goals in his two Champions League matches against PSG (two) than he did in his ten matches for them in the competition (one). Stoked. pic.twitter.com/uGCyFB0CXv
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 13, 2021
Choupo-Moting relegated to Stoke City 3 years ago and here he now makes back-to-back Champions League quarter-final matches. ?? pic.twitter.com/0PjphnBFVH
– Footy Humor (@FootyHumour) April 13, 2021
Soccer is simply the craziest sport.
In a few seconds we go from Neymar who hits the post for the second time in the match to Bayern who make a decisive away goal.
This sport is just absurd. What a game we are witnessing.
– EiF (@EiFSoccer) April 13, 2021
Whatever the outcome today, Choupo is lost for this. He took responsibility for himself when the others could not ✋
– Scarlet? (@escarlettes_) April 13, 2021
How it started | How it works pic.twitter.com/kBwkWADbxy
– B / R Football (@brfootball) April 13, 2021
Over at Stamford Bridge – sorry, we mean Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium – things were nowhere as dramatic.
In fact, neither side even registered a shot on goal before halftime. Most of those who canceled spent the first 45 minutes wishing they had chosen the Bayern game instead …
Chelsea are so boring to watch OMD a bit boring football
– vlad (@vlad_WHU) April 13, 2021
How Chelsea and Porto are willing to waste 90 minutes of my life watching them. It’s sad to match this.
– kilo ♉? (@kilowchris) April 13, 2021
This game has been very boring for the neutral which is absolutely perfect for us.
A better final ball from Kante and we are 1-0 or 2-0.
Halfway there. ?
– Chelsea Extra? (@CFCExtra) April 13, 2021
None of the sides have had a shot on goal yet? ♂️ https://t.co/0K0m1qo6jY
Goal (@goal) April 13, 2021
Jorginho’s first half vs. Postage in number:
86% passing accuracy 75% long pass accuracy57 overall details 7 tackles won 2 interceptions 2 clearances
A great contributor with and without the ball. ?? pic.twitter.com/Z5KMABXAbE
– Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 13, 2021
The second half was a similar story, where Paris saw the lion’s part of the drama. First, Neymar had a Gazza in the Euro 96 moment and came within inches of Angel Di Maria’s cut.
Kylian Mbappe then had a goal ruled out for offside ten minutes from the time before the Bayern attack began. Despite all their pressure, Hansi Flick’s side could not find a breakthrough for once and it was confirmed that Mauricio Pochettino would return to the Champions League semi-final.
The consequences of the result could be massive in Bavaria, all of which were quick to point out on Twitter.
Disappointed with Bayern Munich’s performance at night. Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman were bad while Lewandolski and Gnabry were much missed. PSG deserved to qualify over the two legs. #bbcfootball
– Sulaimon Adelekan (@Iamsulaimon) April 13, 2021
Hansi Flick proved to be right, the Bayern board made a big mistake by not making key signings. No wonder he’s so mad at them.
– Rafael Hernández (@ RafaelH117) April 13, 2021
In eight of the last 9 seasons, was the team that won the Champions League either Bayern Munich or eliminated Bayern Munich? pic.twitter.com/ihy03avkke
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 13, 2021
PSG knocks Bayern Munich out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals.
They avenge last season’s final ⚔️ @brfootball pic.twitter.com/NKdQQMFKHj
– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 13, 2021
At some point during this run, PSG have “avenged” massive defeats from past years.
Beat Bayern, who beat them in the #UCL final last year, beat Barcelona after Remontada and beat United after a comeback in 2019
– Tom Scholes (@_TomScholes) April 13, 2021
Over in Chelsea vs Porto it was quiet until Mehdi Taremi treated us with a picture perfect overhead kick.
It’s just a shame it was in the 94th minute.
WHAT. A GOAL! ?
Mehdi Taremi who is so good !!! ? pic.twitter.com/a72wY4p7pN
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) 13 April 2021
Fair play to Porto. Mehdi Taremi made a world champion! ? #CHEPOR pic.twitter.com/MRqZtDRX2H
– Ogello (@OgelloIsSaying) April 13, 2021
94 – Mehdi Taremi’s strike (93:01) was the last time Chelsea have conceded a Champions League match (excluding extra time) since April 2005 against Bayern Munich, when Mehmet Scholl scored after 94:55. Insignificant. pic.twitter.com/WShtH6jOSp
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 13, 2021
? ⚪️ What. A goal!
?? Mehdi Taremi becomes the first Iranian to score in the Champions League quarter-final? #UCL pic.twitter.com/Tsnn7Jbkhr
– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) 13 April 2021
However, Taremi’s goal did not diminish Chelsea’s celebration, while the Blues toasted their first semi-final appearance since 2014.
It also means that the first men’s and women’s doubles ever in the competition’s history is still going on.
Both @ChelseaFC and @ChelseaFCW are going through the Champions League semi-finals! ? pic.twitter.com/Thmvo8kWQF
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) April 13, 2021
?? ??? ?????. ? #CHEPOR pic.twitter.com/tf803AXL0a
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 13, 2021
Thank you Frank for getting Chelsea through the group stage and thank you Tuchel for bringing Chelsea to the semi-finals ..?
– Conn (@ConnCFC) April 13, 2021
Be not cute, did not have to be. The job very well done, resilient and defiant in front of a furry opponent. Cheers for the upcoming Porto, Chelsea go to the semi-finals of the Champions League!
– Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) April 13, 2021
Chelsea are in the UCL semi-finals for the first time since 2014.
Thomas Tuchel’s effect. ??? pic.twitter.com/nI7VLPCjiq
– BRGoals (@BRGoals) April 13, 2021
“Chelsea have no chance against Atletico Madrid”
“Chelsea will be humbled by Porto”
How about just accepting that we are a great team?
– Raf (@CFC_Raf) April 13, 2021
