Goals, penalty controversy, Kane makes history – PSG vs Bayern was the beautiful game that put the Premier League in its place

Atletico Madrid and Arsenal – best of luck trying to follow that.

In football terms or in any other for that matter, that was perfection from an entertainment point of view.

In a season when stylistically, football has taken more punches than a heavyweight boxer, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich served up a classic.

It was just the dish that needed to be served by the two best teams on the planet and the only ones that could go toe-to-toe with such intensity.

“It’s fantasy football made real,” said Amazon Prime commentator, Jon Champion.

His broadcast partner Alan Shearer claimed it was one of the greatest games he’s ever been to.

Most expected a thriller, few anticipated the depths of what was to come.

A match of stunning attacking play and some suspect defending at times that broke records. And the best thing is, there’s still a second leg to come.

Fireworks greeted arguably Europe’s two best footballing sides and in turn, they produced sparks of their own.

Bayern started with confidence having won on each of their last three trips to the French capital.

A clumsy challenge from PSG’s Ecuadorian defender Willian Pacho handed Harry Kane the opportunity to convert from the penalty spot.

The Three Lions captain made no mistake and in doing so became the first Englishman to score across six consecutive Champions League matches.

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Bayern pushed for a second and Michael Olise came within a whisker of doubling his side’s lead.

And it was a moment to rue for the former Crystal Palace man when just moments later, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia superbly fired PSG level.

The Parisians quickly found another gear and Joao Neves – the smallest player on the pitch – leapt highest to head the holders in front.

The Parc des Princes was rocking but as soon as the decibel level had reached its tipping point, Bayern were back level again with Olise this time, burying his opportunity in the 41st minute.

Incredibly, there was still time for more drama.

PSG were awarded a penalty when Alphonso Davies was adjudged to have handled inside the box.

The Parisians have had their troubles from the spot this season having missed seven of the 12 spot kicks across all competitions however, this time there was no mistake as Ousmane Dembele buried his effort from 12 yards.

Half time provided everyone with the opportunity to catch their breath and enable their heart rates to reset.

Often in football, goal-laden first halves are followed by cagey second periods but PSG and Bayern had other ideas.

Kvaratskhelia took just 11 minutes to restart the party and Ballon d’Or winner Dembele let everyone know that he wasn’t finished by adding his second of the night.

PSG had one foot in Budapest with Bayern on the ropes and there for the taking, but in football it is the small details that make all the difference.

Against the run of play, Dayot Upamecano found himself unmarked to head home a pinpoint Joshua Kimmich ball.

The goal lifted Bayern spirits and they quickly sensed blood.

Luis Diaz had been a thorn in PSG’s side all evening as he was in Bayern’s win in Paris in the league phase in November.

The Colombian timed his run perfectly before curling a superb effort past PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.

That made it 5-4 to PSG with the mood beginning to shift in the favour of the visitors.

But PSG regrouped and held firm against the Bayern onslaught. And there was still time for one last chance for the hosts but substitute Senny Mayulu saw his shot crash off the crossbar.

Few wanted the night to end and you could feel the world give a huge collective groan when the fourth official put up his board to signal four minutes of added time.

The final whistle brought applause. There could be no other reaction to this classic nine-goal thriller.

Tuesday’s match was the joint-highest scoring semi-final match in European Cup/UEFA Champions League history, dating back to Rangers’ 6-3 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in 1959-60.

It marked was the first time two teams have scored 40-plus goals in a Champions League campaign (PSG with 43 and Bayern with 42).

It was also the first time both teams have scored four or more goals in a European semi-final match.

talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy was left purring by what he had witnessed at the Parc des Princes and highlighted what he believes to be a ‘gulf in class’ between Tuesday’s semi-finalists and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

Cundy said: “Arsenal are nowhere near these two. Defensively more solid but the way they play they’ll break Arsenal down.

“The movement, the speed, the touch, the pass, the selection of passes. It’s like watching a different sport. It’s like comparing League One with the Premier League – that gulf in class.”

“The Premier League is League One, that match tonight is what we think the Premier League is.”

Cundy concluded: “The Premier League compared to that is crap.”

PSG head to Munich next week with a slender one goal lead and strangely nobody truly knows which team truly holds the advantage.

The French giants will rue conceding two goals when 5-2 up, however there will be no panic and Luis Enrique‘s side will still fancy their chances in Bavaria.

Meanwhile, Bayern will have home advantage in eight days time and be confident of edging past the Parisians at the Allianz Arena.

A night to behold. Thank you PSG and Bayern for reminding us why we love football.

Get some rest. See you again next week, lads.