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Only one game with more goals
©IMAGO
It isn’t often that games live up to the hype. But make no mistake, it was an incredible 90 minutes at the Parc des Princes between PSG and Bayern Munich. Spectators were treated to an incredible nine-goal spectacle. First, Harry Kane (17’) scored from the spot, then PSG answered with goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (25’) and João Neves (33’). Those two goals were equalized by Michael Olise (41’), just for Ousmane Dembélé (45 + 5’) to take the lead from the spot just before halftime. Then PSG appeared to run away with it as Kvaratskhelia (56’) and Dembélé (59’) made it 5-2. But Bayern struck back with Dayot Upamencano (65’) and Luis Díaz (69’) scoring.
Only then did both teams finally slow down, as if they were ready to concede that there would be no resolution today. Indeed, PSG’s 5-4 victory leaves everything wide open for next week when these two meet for the second half of what has already been an incredible showdown between perhaps Europe’s two best club teams. Nine goals in a single UEFA Champions League game aren’t that uncommon. Indeed, a glance at the Transfermarkt database shows three games with more goals. In 2016, Dortmund beat Legia Warszawa 8-4, in November 2003, Monaco beat Deportivo La Coruna 8-3, and last season, Bayern beat Dinamo Zagreb 9-2.
So, tonight wasn’t quite a record. It still did come close to another record, though. Only once were there more goals in a knockout stage Champions League game. Once again, Bayern were involved. During the pandemic, Bayern beat Barcelona 8-2 in the semifinal on the way to winning the club’s second treble in history. In the Champions League era, there have only been two other games with nine goals in a single leg. In March 2005, Olympique Lyon beat Werder Bremen 7-2, and earlier this season, Barcelona smashed Newcastle 7-2. Sure, those games had nine goals as well, but they lacked tonight’s drama. And the best part? We get 90 more minutes of it next week.
