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PSG entertain in win against Bayern Munich as legend bids farewell
Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance this season continued after the French champions got past Bayern Munich with a 2-0 win to reach Wednesday's Club World Cup semi-final.
Out of the four quarter-final matchups, this was the standout between two European footballing powerhouses.
With PSG and Bayern scoring goals aplenty in previous rounds, this was a game full of exciting attacking moments which kept goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and Manuel Neuer busy throughout.
After PSG’s Desire Doue opened the scoring in the 78th minute, chaos followed with two straight red cards and an Ousmane Dembele goal in added time to secure a semi-final place.
Here are the key talking points from a match to remember at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
PSG vs Bayern Munich match highlights
Bayern’s defensive gameplan worked, for the most part
Up until PSG finally broke the deadlock, Bayern’s defensive work was going to plan.
A rigid shape frustrated PSG, who for the majority of the first 45 minutes were stuck in their own half.
While PSG continued to press and force the odd mistake, Bayern stood firm and managed to create their own chances with winger Michael Olise not being afraid to have shots at goal.
Unfortunately for Bayern, a combination of Donnarumma’s world class shot stopping ability and two goals ruled out for offside in both halves meant they were unable to wrestle a win from the European champions.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is electric once more
After a stellar season in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, PSG superstar Khvicah Kvaratskhelia, yes he has already reached that status, continued to electrify against Bayern.
There were simply too many moments during the game to choose from, but a standout was his run just after the 30-minute mark to force a save from Neuer.
Charging down the left wing, Kvaratskhelia made his way into the Bayern box and fired a the ball towards goal, but it was saved by his German foe.
Until he was substituted off in the 84th minute, the Georgian continued to be a dangerous attacking outlet for PSG, and if the French side are to lift the trophy on July 13, expect Kvaratskhelia to play an integral role.
PSG ill-discipline overshadows win
Yes, PSG got the win, but the red cards for Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez was a dampener.
After going 1-0 late on, you would expect a team of PSG’s calibre and experience to be able to control the game and see it out comfortably.
However, Pacho and Hernandez had moments of stupidity, a high foot and an elbow to an opponent’s face respectively made the closing stages of the match a stressful one for PSG.
While a goal from Dembele in added time calmed the nerves, PSG cannot afford to let their heads go awol in this tournament, especially in the last four.
With either Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund coming in the semi-finals, they will want to prove a point against this season’s Champions League winners and if they get a slight sniff of disorder on the pitch, it will not go unpunished.
Farewell to Bayern legend Thomas Muller
S. Mellar/FC Bayern via Getty Images
As the final whistle blew in Atlanta, the curtain came down for Thomas Muller and his time at Bayern Munich.
In the latter years he has been a bit part player, but he has been part of the furniture at Bayern since 2008 where he has made 503 appearances and scoring 150 goals.
Muller has won everything, Bundesliga titles, Champions Leagues along with a World Cup, and if he was on the hunt for third Club World Cup title.
Muller thought he may have played a part in getting a late constellation penalty for Bayern after supposedly being fouled in the box by Nuno Mendes before referee Anthony Taylor had his call overturned by VAR.
At the age of 35, Muller is yet to announce what his next move will be, but for every football fan, Bayern will not be the same with Muller not wearing Bayern's famous red shirt and often charming the media with his unique sense of humour.
Whatever comes next, football fans across the world wish Muller all the best for the future.
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