Dortmund: Nicklas Fuelkrug scored in a 1-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the first half of the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
Fulkrug, playing in his first Champions League season at the age of 31, collected a high ball from center back Nico Schlotterback in the 36th minute and fired a low shot into left corner of net.
PSG, led by Kylian Mbappe, scored twice in quick succession at the start of the second half but could not break through.
“I think we put in the performance of the classic team today. We had back-to-back game-winners. We needed some chances, but we can be satisfied with our performance,” said longtime center Mats. Hummels.
“It’s very satisfying and a big boost from us.”
Dortmund, who have already lost and drawn PSG in the group stage, can chase their dream of returning to Wembley 11 years after their Champions League final appearance.
However, despite the setback, PSG will be confident of making up for the deficit at home next week against a team they beat at home in September.
“The Parc (PSG stadium) and our supporters are looking forward to the second leg and we know we can do better,” PSG captain Marquinhos told Canal+.
Dortmund manager Edin Terzic said pre-match that PSG had been “building to win the Champions League” since taking over from Qatar a decade ago.
There is no greater difference between the two clubs than PSG’s global superstar Mbappe, who played for his hometown club in the post season and Dortmund striker Füllkrug.
Dortmund, spurred on by a passionate home crowd who booed and booed Mbappe’s every touch, were at their best in the early stages, with Jadon Sancho shining on the right.
Marcel Sabitzer capitalized on Dortmund’s open chance after 14 minutes, blasting past Gianluigi Donnarumma from a corner.
The opener came after 36 minutes thanks to some old-school leading play from Fuelkrug.
In the central defender Schlotterback thought about keeping the ball well in his own half and passing it safely to the goalkeeper, instead of pushing forward, an idea known only to Fuelkrug.
PSG, fresh from wrapping up the Ligue 1 title at the weekend, had few chances to register a shot on target despite their attacking fortunes in the first half.
However, the visitors came alive after half-time when Mbappe fired home a second before former Dortmund winger Achraf Hakimi added another.
PSG should have leveled after 56 minutes when Marquinhos curled a fine shot from a crowded Dortmund box, but Fabian Ruiz’s diving header went wide.
Ousmane Dembele, another former Dortmund player, crossed the face of the goal with 10 minutes remaining.
A dashing Sancho created a good chance for Julian Brandt, but Dortmund’s hopes of a second were snuffed out by PSG’s defence.
Victory guaranteed Germany an extra place in the Champions League for next season, ahead of England or France, with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid drawing 2-2 in the other semi-final.
This has secured Dortmund’s place in next season’s competition.
Fuellkrug outshines Mbappe to hand Dortmund Champions League advantage
