Paris Saint-Germain achieved a historic victory at Anfield, defeating Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16 through a penalty shootout after a 1-0 win, overturning a first-leg deficit. European media celebrated PSG’s remarkable performance, highlighting the significance of their triumph over the tournament favorites. Gianluigi Donnarumma emerged as a hero with crucial saves, while the victory is seen as a turning point for the club in its quest for the Champions League trophy.
Historic Victory for PSG at Anfield
Paris has once again proven its magical allure. In a thrilling encounter at the legendary Anfield Stadium on Tuesday night, Luis Enrique’s squad achieved a monumental victory in the Champions League round of 16, triumphing on penalties (1-0, 4-1 on penalties, 0-1 in the first leg) to secure their place in the quarter-finals of Europe’s premier football tournament.
This morning, prominent newspapers across Europe are lauding this remarkable achievement, which will undoubtedly be etched in the history of the Parisian club as they overcame the tournament favorites. “They conquered Anfield,” declares L’Équipe on their homepage. “PSG delivered one of the most significant performances in their history by eliminating the Champions League favorites and advancing to the next round,” the publication continues in its latest edition. “The great Paris is here now,” states our special correspondent from Liverpool.
Celebration of French Football
Le Parisien also revels in the night’s glory for French football: “Since March 5, Paris has showcased the most collective and gifted performance, overcoming overwhelming pressure from Anfield’s atmosphere.” The daily features the headline “Pure happiness!” on its front page, highlighting Ousmane Dembélé, the match’s sole scorer, beaming with joy.
“Paris has etched its name in history.” British tabloids are also generous with their praise, with Sky Sports proclaiming that “Paris has entered history,” while the BBC lauds an “exceptional Paris Saint-Germain team” that delivered “a dramatic night at Anfield.” The Sun echoes this sentiment with the headline “the PS-Glee,” juxtaposed with an image of a tearful Mohamed Salah, who struggled throughout this two-legged clash. “Liverpool fought bravely,” The Daily Mail acknowledges, but it concedes that “PSG was simply too powerful.”
The Guardian is now optimistic about PSG’s chances of clinching the title: “One of the biggest hurdles to PSG’s aspirations for their first Champions League trophy has been cleared.” Similarly, The Independent notes that “Luis Enrique has forged an exciting team capable of going all the way in Europe this season.”
In Spain, Marca highlights how this historic win has helped to “banish PSG’s past demons,” while Gazzetta Dello Sport in Italy praises the exhilarating football displayed on Tuesday night: “Intense, spectacular play, free of inhibitions, with opportunities for both sides.” They express gratitude to the Italian goalkeeper for his “superb saves” that ensured his team’s advancement.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is celebrated as a hero. After facing criticism in the first leg, the Italian goalkeeper redeemed himself, becoming the star of this return match with two crucial penalty saves during the shootout. “Donnarumma has risen to hero status,” writes The Guardian. “The man of PSG” and the “scourge of England,” states The Telegraph, referring to the Parisian keeper who has finally delivered a standout performance in the Champions League. In France, L’Équipe aptly honors him on their front page with the title “Superhero.”