Paris St-Germain 2-0 Borussia Dortmund: Neymar scores as French champions reach last eight

Parc des PrincesImage source, Getty Images
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There were no fans inside the Parc des Princes because of coronavirus concerns

Paris St-Germain rid themselves of their Champions League curse as they overturned a 2-1 deficit against Borussia Dortmund inside an empty Parc des Princes to reach the last eight.

Concerns over the coronavirus meant fans were barred, but many gathered outside the stadium and celebrated when Neymar headed PSG into the lead.

Juan Bernat made it 3-2 on aggregate when he turned in Pablo Sarabia's ball.

Dortmund's Emre Can saw red late on after two bookings in quick succession.

PSG's players celebrated wildly at full-time before greeting the hundreds of supporters who remained outside the Parc des Princes.

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Angel Di Maria (right) leads the celebrations from inside the Parc des Princes in front of the fans below

Rare Neymar set-piece header sends PSG on their way

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Paris Saint-Germain fans gather outside closed stadium

Like Valencia's match against Atalanta at the Mestalla on Tuesday, this match was contested without the presence of supporters because of the country's concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.

However, that edict did not deter hundreds who gathered outside the Parc des Princes - some wearing masks synonymous with the pandemic - chanting and setting off fireworks which were visible from within the confines of the stadium.

Dortmund had the benefit of their 'yellow wall' of supporters inside their Westfalenstadion three weeks ago, the question was how would PSG cope with trying to overturn their deficit without their 12th man.

Coach Thomas Tuchel had them on the front foot from the kick-off. They controlled possession for the first 25 minutes without making Roman Burki work before the Swiss keeper pulled off a brilliant save with his foot to turn behind Edinson Cavani's angled strike.

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Fireworks outside Parc des Princes

Then came the breakthrough, as Neymar manoeuvered into the six-yard area to meet Angel Di Maria's peach of a corner with a diving header. The Brazilian had writhed around in pain the previous three times he had hit the turf, this time he wheeled away in delight to celebrate with his bench - throwing caution to the wind regarding any coronavirus advice.

His eighth goal in nine Champions League games put PSG ahead on away goals before they took the outright aggregate lead just before half-time thanks to Sarabia. The former Getafe and Sevilla player surged down the right and delivered a low angled ball into the area which was deflected in by Bernat.

France forward Kylian Mbappe, who had not trained with his team-mates for two days because of a sore throat, was brought on after the break but made little impact as keeping Dortmund at bay took precedence. But despite conceding more possession to the visitors their Costa Rican keeper Navas did not have to stretch to make a save.

There was one sour note for Tuchel's side after Di Maria picked up a yellow from the bench having got involved in a late fracas with some Dortmund players.

Under-par Dortmund finish with 10 men

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Emre Can (left) pushed Neymar (bottom) to the turf which resulted in a fracas between players and staff from both sides

Lucien Favre's Dortmund signalled their intent by playing a high line, but they rarely pushed PSG defence back.

Norwegian striker Erling Braut Haaland scored two of his 12 goals since signing in January in his side's win in the first leg. But, except for narrowly failing to connect with a low ball from the right in the first half, he never got close to adding to his tally.

After the final whistle several PSG players trolled the 19-year-old by recreating his yoga goal-celebration pose.

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English winger Jadon Sancho, Dortmund's top scorer with 19, stung the palms of Navas with two efforts but they were routine saves.

Dortmund's day was compounded by the late red card for midfielder Can, who received yellow for a foul on Neymar before getting a second yellow from referee Anthony Taylor for his reaction.

Live: Follow Wednesday's Champions League action, including PSG v Borussia Dortmund

PSG continue scoring streak - stats

  • PSG remain unbeaten in each of their eight home matches with German sides in all European competition (W7 D1), progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2015-16.

  • Dortmund have been eliminated from a major European two-legged tie when winning the first leg for only the second time in the club's history, also falling out at the last 16 stage during the 1987-88 Uefa Cup to Club Brugge.

  • PSG have reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the sixth different season, hitting this stage on more occasions than any other French side.

  • Neymar has had a direct hand in 14 goals in just eight home Champions League appearances for PSG, scoring 10 times and assisting a further four. Indeed, he has now scored six Champions League goals versus German sides, only netting more versus Scottish and French opposition (seven each).

  • PSG's Brazilian defender Marquinhos tonight made his 50th Champions League start for the French club - only Marco Verratti (54) and Thiago Silva (56) have managed more for the French champions.

  • PSG have scored in each of their last 32 Champions League games (85 goals), the second longest run in the history of the competition after Real Madrid between May 2011 and April 2014 (34).

  • Di Maria has been directly involved in six goals in the Champions League this season (two goals, four assists), only managing more during a single campaign back in 2013-14 with Real Madrid (8).

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