PSG clinches semi-final spot with 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich with nine men

Abdullateef Fowewe

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured their place in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals by defeating Bayern Munich 2-0 in a thrilling quarterfinal match held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Remarkably, PSG achieved this feat while finishing the game with only nine players on the pitch due to two late red cards.

The match was intense from the start, with Bayern appearing dominant in the first half, having two goals disallowed for offside and creating multiple chances.

PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was a constant threat, though Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made several key saves.

The first half also saw a serious injury to Bayern’s Jamal Musiala, who had to leave the field in visible pain after a collision with PSG’s goalkeeper Gigi Donnarumma.

The deadlock was broken in the 78th minute when PSG’s João Neves intercepted the ball high up the pitch and set up Désiré Doué, who calmly slotted the ball past Neuer to make it 1-0.

Shortly after, Bayern’s Willian Pacho was sent off for a dangerous challenge, reducing the German side to ten men.

In stoppage time, Lucas Hernández received a second red card for an elbowing incident, leaving PSG with just nine players on the field. Despite this, PSG sealed the victory with a stunning counter-attack finished by substitute Ousmane Dembélé, who scored in the 96th minute after hitting the underside of the crossbar moments earlier.

Bayern Munich suffered further setbacks with injuries to Josip Stanisic and Jamal Musiala in the first half and were held scoreless for the first time in the tournament.

The defeat also marked the final game for Bayern legend Thomas Müller, who is set to leave the club at the end of his contract this summer.