Nicklas Feulkrug overtakes Kylian Mbappe as Dortmund take lead over PSG in Champions League tie football news

Niklas Fuelkrug gave Borussia Dortmund a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday as the journeyman striker outclassed superstar Kylian Mbappe on the night. Seeking to return to the final for the first time since 2013, the 1997 winners were determined and determined, overcoming their formidable rival in front of over 80,000 fans. Fuelkrug, playing his first Champions League season at the age of 31, took a high pass from centre-back Nico Schlotterbach in the 36th minute and fired a low shot into the left corner of the net.

PSG, led by Kylian Mbappe, hit the post twice in a row at the beginning of the second half, but could not hit it.

“I think today we showed a classic team performance. Everyone helped each other win the game. We needed some luck at times, but we can be very satisfied with our performance,” said the long-serving centre-back. Back mats said Hummels.

“It was a very satisfying, very big performance from us.”

Dortmund, who have already lost and drawn against PSG in the group stage this season, can continue to dream of a return to Wembley 11 years after their last Champions League final.

However, despite the setback, PSG will be confident of bouncing back from next week’s defeat at home against a team they completely thrashed on their home turf in September.

“The park (PSG’s stadium) and our supporters are giving us hope for the second leg and we know we can do much better,” PSG captain Marquinhos told Canal+.

Dortmund manager Edin Terzic said pre-match PSG were “ready to win the Champions League” since the Qatari takeover a decade ago.

Nowhere was the difference between the two clubs greater than between PSG’s global superstar Mbappé, who was playing his final season for his hometown club, and journeyman Dortmund striker Feulkrug, who was playing second-division football this time two years ago .

PSG hit the post twice

Inspired by the passionate home crowd, who applauded and whistled Mbappé’s every touch, Dortmund had the best of the early stages, with Jadon Sancho shining on the right.

After 14 minutes Marcel Sabitzer had Dortmund’s best chance for the opener, firing straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma from a tight angle.

The opener came after 36 minutes thanks to some brilliant old-school forward play from Fuelkrug.

Centre-back Schlotterbach had the ball well and thought about making a safe pass to the ‘keeper, but instead passed him forward, with only Fuelkrug aware of the idea.

The striker controlled the ball with one touch and fired a low shot past the helpless Donnarumma.

Having clinched the Ligue 1 title at the weekend, PSG had few chances despite an aggressive offensive attack in the opening half, registering zero shots on target.

However, the visitors revived after half-time, with former Dortmund wing-back Achraf Hakimi lashing the inside of a post just seconds before Mbappé headed wide of the second post.

PSG should have equalized after 56 minutes, with Marquinhos delivering a beautiful pass through a crowded Dortmund box but Fabian Ruiz’s diving header went wide.

Ousmane Dembele, another former Dortmund player, blasted right across goal with 10 minutes remaining.

The impressive Sancho delivered a wonderful pass for Julian Brandt, but some desperate defending from PSG dashed Dortmund’s hopes of a second.

The win, combined with a 2-2 draw between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the other semi-final on Tuesday, guarantees Germany an extra Champions League spot for next season instead of England or France.

This has already secured Dortmund’s place in the competition next season.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)