PSG into UCL semis

Paris Saint-Germain is back in the UEFA Champions League semifinals after finishing off Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield on Tuesday behind two Ousmane Dembélé goals. (uefa.com) The French club had already won the first leg 2-0 in Paris on April 8, so Tuesday’s result sent it through 4-0 on aggregate. UEFA’s fixtures page lists the quarterfinal tie as Liverpool vs. Paris on April 14 after the first-leg loss at Parc des Princes. (uefa.com) Dembélé was the decisive figure across the second leg, with UEFA and Bleacher Report both identifying his two goals as the difference on the night. Liverpool, which had reached the quarterfinals by beating Galatasaray 4-0 in the round of 16 second leg on March 18, could not overturn the deficit. (uefa.com) (bleacherreport.com) The result keeps Paris on course to defend the European title it won last season. UEFA’s homepage on Tuesday described the club as the competition’s holders while carrying highlights from the win at Liverpool. (uefa.com) It also extends a recent pattern in this tie: UEFA’s pre-match preview said Paris returned to Anfield “well placed to eliminate Liverpool from the UEFA Champions League for the second season in succession” after the first-leg win. Tuesday’s second-leg result completed that job. (uefa.com) The semifinal dates are already set for April 27 or 29 and May 4 or 6, though UEFA said the exact match dates will be confirmed later. Paris will face the winner from the other half of the bracket once the remaining quarterfinals finish on Wednesday, April 15. (uefa.com 1) (uefa.com 2) For Liverpool, the exit ends a run that had included a 4-1 aggregate win over Galatasaray in the round of 16. For Paris, the latest step is simpler: six days after taking control in the first leg, it left Anfield with the tie settled and the semifinal place secure. (uefa.com)