Manchester City took a huge step towards the Champions League final by coming from behind to win 2-1 at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in their last-four first leg.
Marquinhos’ header gave PSG a deserved half-time lead, but Pep Guardiola’s City dominated the second half and goals from Kevin De Bruyne and RiyadMahrez turned the game on its head.
Home midfielder IdrissaGanaGueye was sent off late on, but PSG avoided conceding a third to keep their hopes alive ahead of next Tuesday’s second leg in Manchester.
RiyadMahrez’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.
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.
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 just a goal behind.
Guardiola’s men found their groove after the break, but this time they were the beneficiaries of two defensive mistakes to take control of the tie.