Borussia Dortmund secured an inspirational victory over Paris Saint Germain at the Parc Des Princes, to reprise history and book their place in the final of the UEFA Champions League.
Edin Terzic’s side defeated PSG in both legs, after displaying doggedness, immense courage, and astonishing counter-attacking moves.
Matt Hummels netted the game’s only goal in the 50th minute, powering home a towering header past Paris Saint Germain goalie Gianluigi Donnarumma, following a well-delivered cross off a corner sent towards the far post.
In the opening 45, opportunities fell to both sides with one coming to Borussia Dortmund in the 19th minute.
Niclas Füllkrug held the ball up and laid it into the path of defender Ryerson, who struck a first-time volley from a tight angle and it went past the wrong side of the net.
Ten minutes before the expiration of normal time in the first half, Paris Saint Germain also tore Borussia Dortmund through with some intricate attacking moves.
However, Kylian Mbappe couldn’t get a clear attempt on goal, with the visitors immediately breaking on a counter through Karim Adeyemi.
Adeyemi turned on his bike and dashed towards the defensive territory of Paris Saint Germain, taking on Marquinhos in the process before firing a strike towards the goal with goalkeeper Gianluigi able to deal with the effort.
Borussia Dortmund went into the break already basking in the hopes of playing in the final, with 45 minutes being what was separating them at that point.
The Black and Yellows were tactically sound in the opening period and they did well enough to curtail the hosts.
In the second period, chances fell aplenty to both teams, with a golden opportunity seen by PSG few minutes after the restart.
A cross by Kylian Mbappe deflected across the area through Goncalo Ramos towards the far post, with a volley from midfielder Zaire-Emery hitting the cross bar.
Ten minutes before the hour mark, Borussia Dortmund took the lead through Matt Hummels as earlier indicated.
Edin Terzic brought on legend Marco Reus, who will be exiting the Signal Iduna Park at the end of the season for Karim Adeyemi in the 56th minute.
Three minutes after the hour mark, Marco Asensio was introduced by Paris Saint Germain manager Luis Enrique, while Bradley Barcola also came on for Ramos, as the Parisians tried to turn the game around.
Jadon Sancho exited the field for the Black and Yellows in the 67th minute, with Niklas Sule coming on in his stead.
Paris Saint Germain made their final substitution in the 76th minute, with Kang-In Lee entering the fray for Warren Zaire-Emery.
In the 77th minute, Borussia Dortmund thought they had buried the game beyond all doubt, with Matt Hummels brilliantly volleying the ball into the back of the net.
However, the goal was chalked off, as the German defender was adjudged to have been offside.
Ten minutes before the culmination of the encounter, Kylian Mbappe did well to find space to get a shot at goal, but his effort was palmed away by Borussia Dortmund goalie Kobel.
Edin Terzic made his last alteration 5 minutes before the culmination of regulation time, with Felix Nmecha brought on for Julian Brandt.
Paris Saint Germain were so close to netting the equalizer in the 86th minute, but an attempt from Mbappe also looped into the crossbar following a deflection.
Borussia Dortmund became third time lucky in the 88th minute, as the crossbar also came to their rescue.
It looked like they had a covenant with the crossbar, with PSG also having to deal with that headache as the ball just wasn’t going in.
Vitinha struck a magnificent strike from range, with Dortmund goalie Gregor Kobel thoroughly beaten.
Unfortunately for the home side, the effort of the Portuguese rattles against the woodwork, with Borussia Dortmund escaping a major scare.
Following 90 minutes and additional time, the German side ultimately secured qualification, and they are now one step away from glory.
The last time they were in the final was in the 2012/13 season, where they played Bayern Munich in the final at Wembley Stadium, England.
It appears that might be the case this term, as 11 years later they have made it through to the UEFA Champions League final to be played at Wembley, with the onus of reprising history now resting on the shoulders of Bayern Munich, as they have to overcome Real Madrid in the second-leg of their semi-final meeting.
Both clubs had played out a 2-2 draw in the first leg, and it will be interesting to see where the pendulum will swing in the second affair.
Meanwhile, goalscorer Matt Hummels alongside Marco Reus are the only player remaining in the Borussia Dortmund side that played Bayern Munich in the final 11 years ago, and they will be in line to feature this time around, in what will certainly be an historical feat.
