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The Master Craftsman: Hummels’ Masterful Display Stuns Mbappe and PSG, Propelling Dortmund Towards Champions League Glory

Borussia Dortmund stunned Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League semi-final thriller on Tuesday night. A solitary headed goal from Mats Hummels was enough to seal a 1-0 victory on the night and a 2-0 aggregate win to send them through to next month's final at Wembley. With Kylian Mbappe's star power on show, it was Dortmund's resolute defense and clinical finishing that won the day.

Administrator

23 May, 2024

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Mats Hummels’ second-half header sent Borussia Dortmund into the final of the Champions League as they held off a late fightback from PSG to progress 3–1 on aggregate.

Dortmund, who had won the first leg 2–1, struck five minutes into the second half through Hummels’ powerful header, and PSG were unable to muster a response until it was too late.

The French side hit the woodwork four times in total, with Kylian Mbappe, Warren Zaire-Emery, Nuno Mendes, and Vitinha all denied by the frame of the goal.

Dortmund, sitting fifth in the German Bundesliga, were never expected to go this far and will be underdogs in the final, regardless of their opponent. They will face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, who play the second leg of their tie on Wednesday, with the German side holding a 2–0 advantage.

This will be Dortmund’s first final since 2013, when they lost to Bayern Munich at Wembley. Hummels played in that final and was the hero here, 11 years later, as his header added to Niclas Fuellkrug’s goal from the first leg.

“We did it somehow, making it to London. It’ll take us a bit of time to realize that, but we’re looking forward to it extremely,” said a delighted Dortmund coach, Edin Terzic.

PSG, meanwhile, are left to reflect on another disappointing exit from the competition. They have never won the trophy, despite the heavy investment from their Qatari owners since 2011. There will be no dream send-off for Mbappe, who will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

“We were not clinical enough,” said a dejected PSG captain, Marquinhos. “They scored two goals from a corner and a long ball. We created lots more chances but didn’t take them.”

Kylian Mbappe was one of four PSG players to hit the woodwork as his side crashed out of the Champions League. Photo: AFP

PSG manager, Luis Enrique, made changes to his starting lineup, bringing in Goncalo Ramos and moving Mbappe to the left wing. However, it was Dortmund who had the best chance of the first half, with Karim Adeyemi leading a counterattack and forcing a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

PSG started the second half strongly and should have taken the lead through Zaire-Emery, but he hit the post from close range. Dortmund struck back moments later through Hummels’ header, and PSG struggled to get back into the game.

Enrique sent on Barcola and Asensio, and PSG laid siege to the Dortmund goal, but they were denied by the woodwork and some resilient defending. In the end, Dortmund held on to book their place in the final and leave PSG reflecting on what might have been.