Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick 19 minutes from time took Manchester City within touching distance of a first-ever Champions League final as they ...
Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick 19 minutes from time took Manchester City within touching distance of a first-ever Champions League final as they came from behind to beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
PSG captain Marquinhos headed the hosts into an early lead, but City composed themselves after half-time to take a firm grip of the tie.
Kevin De Bruyne’s cross found its way into the far corner for a vital away goal to level before Mahrez’s strike found a hole in the Parisian wall.
Here a look at three talking points from a thrilling first leg:
City learn their lesson
Pep Guardiola’s five seasons in Manchester have been filled with domestic trophies and Champions League collapses.
This is the first time the English champions-elect have even reached the last four under the Catalan coach, but they showed a new maturity on the European stage to ride out the early Paris storm.
That was one of the best performances, in an away leg, by an English side in the history of European football. Absolutely outstanding from @ManCity 🙌🏻
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) April 28, 2021
City’s previous Champions League exits have been characterised by conceding multiple goals in quick succession.
Despite the early blow of Marquinhos’s towering header, the visitors kept their composure to get to half-time...
