ANGEL LEADS PSG TO FINAL
RB LEIPZIG ....... 0 PSG ..... 3
ANGEL DI MARIA was too hot for Leipzig to handle.
The former Manchester United star scored one and set up the other two as Paris St-Germain reached their first ever final in Europe’s premier club competition.
They will now face the winner of tonight’s other semi-final between Bayern Munich and Lyon in the showpiece at Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz on Sunday.
Di Maria said: “We’re very happy. It’s a first for the club. We worked hard and played a great game.
“We want to make history for the club. We succeeded tonight and we’re in the final – that’s important. We have to continue like this to make our dream come true.”
The French champions, who also twice hit the woodwork in the first half through Neymar, took a deserved lead in the 13th minute in their first Champions League semi-final since 1995.
Argentinian ace Di Maria whipped in a freekick and Marquinhos got in ahead of the defenders to nod home. Leipzig had reached the last four in the Champions League for the first time – and it looked like it was a step too far for Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
They were a shadow of the team that had seen off the likes of Tottenham and Atletico Madrid. PSG and Di Maria, in particular, took full advantage of the Bundesliga outfit’s below par performance.
Di Maria turned scorer after a sloppy clearance from Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.
Brazilian superstar Neymar pounced and produced a sensational back heel pass to set Di Maria up to score.
PSG have been chasing Champions League glory ever since Qatari investors started to bankroll the club in 2011 and they took a step closer to their Holy Grail in the 56th minute.
Nordi Mukiele slipped in possession, allowing Di Maria to pick out Juan Bernat and the midfielder headed home.
Thomas Tuchel’s side wasted more chances as they eased home.