Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are through to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Bayern beat Serie A side Lazio 3-0 in Munich to qualify 3-1 on aggregate, having previously lost the first leg of their last-16 tie 1-0 in Italy three weeks ago.
Harry Kane opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a flicked header that Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel could only fumble into the net. Lazio captain Ciro Immobile had missed a huge chance for the away side only a few minutes before Kane’s goal.
Thomas Muller then put Bayern ahead on aggregate with a clever header, following a fierce volley into the area from defender Matthijs de Ligt. Kane then converted from close range in the 66th minute after Provedel could only parry Leroy Sane’s low shot.
Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel revealed he may have suffered a broken toe after giving his pre-match speech ahead of the game. “In my last speech before the match, I kicked the door,” Tuchel told CBS Sports. “It was the wrong technique and I think I broke it.”
Harry Kane now has 33 goals in 33 matches for Bayern Munich this season (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
PSG, meanwhile, were 2-1 winners against Real Sociedad in San Sebastian, meaning they won their tie 4-1 on aggregate following last month’s 2-0 win in Paris. After being played in down the left by Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe whipped a shot into the far corner to open the scoring in the 15th minute of the match, his shot causing a minor delay to the game after it damaged the net, which came loose from the pole attachment and had to be repaired by the ground staff.
Kylian Mbappe hit that so hard he broke the net 😳 pic.twitter.com/l9C7VDCXMz
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 5, 2024
Mbappe, captain in the absence of Marquinhos, scored his and PSG’s second of the night after being played through by Lee Kang-in, finishing at the near post past Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro. Mikel Merino then grabbed a late consolation goal for La Real, who were much improved in the second half.
PSG impressive on the road
Analysis by PSG correspondent Peter Rutzler
This was PSG’s most impressive away performance of the season. Luis Enrique’s side had not won on the road in the Champions League this season and even domestically, they have often had to rely on some heroics from Gianluigi Donnarumma to give them an edge.
But at a point in the season where they normally fall flat — they have been eliminated in the round of 16 in five of the past seven seasons — PSG instead stepped up gear. There would be no unforeseen disasters.
A tactical surprise from Luis Enrique, placing Dembele in a central role as part of a midfield diamond, changed the dynamic of this tie and ensured there would be no way back for Real Sociedad. PSG controlled the game, while Mbappe channelled the noise about his future and recent matchday minutes into a top-level performance, with two excellent goals.
Luis Enrique said pre-match that he wanted to ensure his team left “nothing to chance” in Spain and his young side, the youngest PSG have ever fielded in the Champions League, ensured that did not happen. A professional night’s work that bodes well for the rest of the campaign.
When is the Champions League quarter-final draw?
The draw for the Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals takes place on Friday, March 15 at 11am GMT (6am ET).
When do the quarter-final and semi-final games take place?
- Quarter-final first legs: April 9-10
- Quarter-final second legs: April 16-17
- Semi-final first legs: April 30-May 1
- Semi-final second legs: May 7-8
What is the state of play in the other last-16 ties?
On Wednesday, Real Madrid host RB Leipzig holding a 1-0 lead over their German opposition. Manchester City also host FC Copenhagen and are 3-1 up already.
Next Tuesday, Porto travel to Arsenal with a 1-0 advantage after their first-leg win in Portugal, while Barcelona welcome Napoli to the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium with that tie level at 1-1.
And next Wednesday, Borussia Dortmund then host PSV with those two sides also having played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg, while Inter Milan travel to Atletico Madrid with a 1-0 advantage.
(Top photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)
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