PSG beats Dortmund 2-0 to reach Champions League quarters

AP Sports Writer (AP) — With its fans cheering outside an empty stadium, Paris Saint-Germain finally reached the Champions League quarterfinals again by beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 on Wednesday.

PSG trailed 2-1 from the first leg in Germany, raising the possibility of a fourth straight elimination in the last-16 stage.

Neymar headed in from a corner in the 28th minute and left back Juan Bernat made it 2-0 just before the break. PSG reached the last eight for the first time since 2016. The club has only reached the semifinals once, in 1995.

Dortmund hardly resembled the side which dominated the first leg, and midfielder Emre Can was sent off near the end after shoving Neymar over.

It led to pushing and shoving from players on each side. Neymar was shown a yellow card as was teammate Ángel Di María, even though he was off the field.

The match at Parc des Princes was played in an empty stadium because of the coronavirus outbreak. Around 3,000 PSG fans gathered to show their support outside the Parc des Princes before the game and carried on singing during it.

Neymar went down clutching his right shoulder after falling down early on, but got back up after a few moments.

PSG striker Edinson Cavani had the first clear chance, with goalkeeper Roman Bürki poking out a foot to save his low shot in the 25th.

Moments later, Bürki failed to claim Di María’s corner from the right and Neymar — who netted in the first leg — dived forward to head in.

Dortmund’s defense dozed as Bernat steered in Pablo Sarabia’s cross from the right, following good work from Neymar and Di María.

PSG went out last year at Parc des Princes to a stoppage-time penalty against Manchester United, and there were nerves late on as Dortmund poured forward.

This time, PSG held firm.

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