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MATTHEW CHILDS
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: PSG v Bayern Munich, Champions League final

PSG face Bayern Munich, as Europe’s premier club competition reaches its climax.

PSG 0-1 Bayern

Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.

This should be an intriguing clash, featuring arguably the two best sides in Europe.

Bayern haven’t lost competitively since December, while PSG have been similarly dominant. 

Both teams have won their leagues and domestic cup competitions, and have a chance to add the Champions League trophy to their list of honours tonight.

For PSG, it would be a first win ever of the trophy, while Bayern could draw level with Liverpool if they win it for the sixth time.

So who do you think will win?


Poll Results:

Bayern (777)
PSG (202)

spportugal-lisbon-football-uefa-champions-league-bayern-munich-pre-match Robert Lewandowski pictured prior to tonight's game. Xinhua News Agency / PA Images Xinhua News Agency / PA Images / PA Images

imago-20200823 The trophy pictured ahead of kick-off. Frank Hörmann / Pool Frank Hörmann / Pool / Pool

We’re underway…

Not much action to speak of so far.

Paredes has just headed away Kimmich’s free kick into the area.

Thiago Alcántara — who might be playing his last game for Bayern — attempts a shot from distance that goes well off target.

The Bundesliga outfit have started the better of the two teams, dominating possession without creating any clear-cut chances.

PSG are starting to come more into the game now.

Mbappe has seen two of his goal-bound shots from the edge of the area blocked in recent minutes.

So close for PSG!

Mbappe slips through Neymar, but Neuer does really well, stopping the Brazilian’s initial shot with his leg, before being equally alert to block the rebound.

That’s the best chance of the game so far and a big warning for Bayern.

It’s Bayern’s turn to go very close.

Lewandowski receives the ball just inside the box, turns sharply and sees his low shot come back off the post.

Down the other end, Di Maria plays a clever one-two with Herrera, before blazing over, as a well-worked counter-attack ends in disappointing fashion for PSG.

Setback for Bayern.

Jérôme Boateng, who had been a doubt before the match, hobbles off after pulling up.

He is replaced by Niklas Süle.

Kehrer escapes the attentions of Davies down the right wing before being brought down, with the Canadian booked as a result.

The ensuing free kick falls to Herrera on the edge of the box, and the midfielder’s powerful shot is deflected wide via the body of Goretzka.

Big chance again!

Muller’s cross reaches Lewandowski, who has found space in between two PSG defenders and his header from a slightly awkward position is parried away by Navas.

A reminder that the Polish international went into this game with 59 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions, and he could well add to his tally tonight.

It’s been a fairly quiet last few minutes.

This game is tense and finely poised but could do with a goal or two.

Bayern are finishing the half strongly, controlling the play and pinning PSG back.

The Germans have probably edged the opening 45 minutes, though they remain level where it counts.

As I type though, Alaba gives the ball away cheaply in a dangerous area.

Mbappe’s finish is tame though, and Neuer makes the save.

HALF-TIME: PSG 0-0 BAYERN

portugal-soccer-champions-league-final Bayern's Jerome Boateng is helped off the pitch after suffering an injury. Miguel A. Lopes Miguel A. Lopes

The second half has begun…

The second half has followed a similar pattern to the first so far.

It’s pretty cagey, with both sides struggling to unlock the other with a killer final pass.

Gnabry gets booked for a late tackle on Neymar.

The challenge leads to some heated exchanges between the players, with Paredes subsequently getting booked for his part in the protests.

Niklas Süle is the latest to get booked, after clattering into the back of Di Maria.

It’s gotten a bit testy in recent minutes, with a few needless yellows.

BAYERN MUNICH 1-0 PSG (COMAN 59)

Out of nothing, Bayern are ahead!

Muller lofts a perfectly weighted cross and Coman — the former PSG player — heads home brilliantly, after finding himself unmarked at the back post.

He was the one player that came into the Bayern team ahead of kick-off, with Ivan Perišić left out, and that looks an inspired decision now.

Coman almost gets his second.

Thiago Silva does brilliantly to clear his shot off the line, after the attacker again is free at the far post.

Bayern are beginning to exploit the spaces PSG are now leaving as they press for an equaliser.

Verratti — who probably would have started if he was 100% fit for this game — replaces Paredes for PSG.

It’s the Italy international’s 60th Champions League appearance.

A double change for Bayern.

Perisic and Coutinho replace the goalscorer Coman and Gnabry.

Di Maria slips a clever ball through to Marquinhos, whose shot from a tricky angle is saved by the leg of Neuer.

The Bayern number one has made some important saves this evening.

With a goal desperately needed, PSG make an attack-minded change.

Draxler is on in place of Herrera.

Bayern have had 63% possession in this game.

PSG have had a few decent chances, but the Bundesliga champions probably just about deserve to be ahead, as they’ve controlled much of the play.

Another change for PSG.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who was playing for Stoke City two years ago, replaces Di Maria.

There has not been a late rally from PSG yet.

Down the other end though, Coutinho has curled a free kick a few inches wide.

Thiago, who looks to be carrying a slight knock, is replaced by Tolisso.

That might be the Spaniard’s last game for Bayern, as he has been heavily linked with an off-season move to Liverpool.

There will be five minutes of stoppage time.

As I type, Neymar’s shot goes through a few bodies and drifts just wide, moments after Lewandowski went down in the other box amid unsuccessful claims for a penalty.

What a finish!

FULL-TIME: BAYERN MUNICH 1-0 PSG – BAYERN ARE CHAMPIONS!

So that’s that. Bayern are champions of Europe for the sixth time.

It was a tight game, but the German probably just about deserved it.

There were a number of superstars on show, but the winner perhaps came from a somewhat unlikely source.

Kingsley Coman didn’t even start the semi-final, but the decision to bring him in for Ivan Perišić proved an inspiring call, as has been the case with most of the decisions Hans-Dieter Flick has made since taking charge of Bayern in November 2019.

For PSG, it is another frustrating miss. They can reflect on the fact that they have made real progress in getting all the way to the final this season, but they were second best for too much of this game.

While the Ligue 1 champions missed a handful of good chances, Bayern controlled the play and dominated possession.

Too many of the French side’s big players were quiet — Neymar, Di Maria and Mbappe were among those to have quiet, ineffectual nights.

Right, that’s all from me.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

We’ll have more reaction to follow and you can read our match report here.

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