Bayern Munich 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain (3-0 agg): Choupo-Moting makes former side pay in last 16

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting haunted former side Paris Saint-Germain as Bayern Munich reached the Champions League quarter-final with a 2-0 win that secured a 3-0 aggregate triumph.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side progressed to the last eight in Europe for a fourth straight season after Choupo-Moting and Serge Gnabry’s second-half strikes in the second leg on Wednesday.

Bayern were earlier indebted to Matthijs de Ligt, though, after his remarkable goal-line clearance thwarted Vitinha in the first half at Allianz Arena.

De Ligt’s last-ditch intervention, coupled with Choupo-Moting’s cool finish and a breakaway Gnabry goal, saw PSG fail to reach Champions League quarter-finals for a second consecutive season.

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— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) March 8, 2023

Aiming to overturn a one-goal first-leg deficit, PSG created the more promising chances in a first half bereft of cutting edge.

Alphonso Davies produced a last-ditch block to deny Lionel Messi from Nuno Mendes’ offload, while Jamal Musiala forced a smart Gianluigi Donnarumma save at the other end.

PSG lost captain Marquinhos to an apparent hip injury soon after, before De Ligt cleared off the line from Vitinha after Yann Sommer’s inexplicable error offered an open goal.

Choupo-Moting headed past Donnarumma after the interval, only for Thomas Muller’s offside position to ensure the goal did not stand, but the striker was not to be denied.

Muller dispossessed Marco Verratti inside PSG’s half before Leon Goretzka’s selfless square pass afforded Choupo-Moting a simple 61st-minute tap-in.

Sommer then produced a stunning stop from Sergio Ramos’ bullet header before Joao Cancelo teed up Gnabry, who made sure of progression with a composed 89th-minute finish.

What does it mean? Familiar PSG failings as resolute Bayern triumph

PSG’s failure in the Champions League last season, in which they lost a dramatic last-16 encounter to eventual champions Real Madrid, saw coach Mauricio Pochettino dismissed.

Christophe Galtier’s side sit eight points clear at the Ligue 1 summit but the Frenchman may suffer a similar fate after PSG faltered once more in their search for an elusive European crown.

Galtier may hope for some lenience, though, given PSG were outclassed by a dominant Bayern, who have been eliminated just twice in the 23 previous occasions they have won the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie.

Classy Kimmich

In a European clash spoiled by a rich of midfield class, Joshua Kimmich stood out as the difference once again for Bayern.

The Germany international, facing up against Italy star Verratti, created a game-leading four chances in a dominant display that further proved his standing as one of the world’s best midfielders.

Messi made to wait for milestone goal

Messi became just the third player to start 150 Champions League games, after Iker Casillas (176) and Cristiano Ronaldo (178), but that will prove little consolation for the World Cup winner.

The Argentina international remains just one away from 800 career goals, while he will have to wait to become just the second player to 50 Champions League knockout strikes.

What’s next?

Bayern return to Bundesliga action at home to Augsburg on Saturday, when PSG visit Brest in Ligue 1.