Still can't get over this Neymar assist pic.twitter.com/qotSrAW8FK
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
PSG vs. RB Leipzig score: French side advances to Champions League final for first time in club history
The French club was a 3-0 winner on Tuesday
For the first time in club history, Paris Saint-Germain will compete in the Champions League final. The French side defeated RB Leipzig 3-0 on Tuesday in the single leg of the Champions League semifinal in Lisbon.
Goals were scored from unconventional places with Marquinhos, Angel Di Maria and Juan Bernat getting on the scoresheet, while Neymar and Kylian Mbappe remaining noticeably absent. That doesn't mean they weren't involved, of course, as their presence alone allowed their teammates to get free while attacking and putting the ball behind net. Neymar was awarded an assist on the second goal of the match with a beautiful no-look heel chip that miraculously found Di Maria.
More notable than the goals of the game themselves is what this moment means to this French side. For years, PSG have been a club categorized (perhaps correctly) by their inability to succeed in European competitions rather than their on-field talents. Now, they have a chance to be the heroic version of this team that breaks that string of failure, and recategorizes this team to be one that can be dominant in Europe.
Here's what to know and see from the 90 minutes:
Top plays
Neymar's magical flick to Di Maria doubles PSG lead
The magic of Neymar's technical abilities cannot be overstated, particularly when he was possession of the ball. But that ability and technical wizardry also makes its way into his passing, which is what helped lead to the second goal of the game for the Parisians. A beautiful cross into the box from Paredes finds the back heel of Neymar, who's able to somehow flip the ball perfectly to his teammate, who hammers the second goal of the match home.
That Neymar touch 😙👌 pic.twitter.com/QD3numqTPO
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
Di Maria's gorgeous cross gets PSG on the scoresheet
Neymar isn't the only Parisian player with incredible passing abilities. Di Maria, the recipient of the aforementioned highlight pass, also got in on the action earlier in the game with his cross that gave Marquinhos -- a hero of PSG's quarterfinal win over Atalanta -- a chance to head home the first goal of the game for PSG.
The quarterfinal hero strikes first!
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
Di Maria puts the ball right on Marquinhos' head and PSG takes the early lead. pic.twitter.com/YHVXLgzcfP
When the pass is so perfect all you can do is watch pic.twitter.com/dwjfeFEFYk
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 18, 2020
Neymar nearly scores golaso from deep
PSG's third goal was more about the mistakes that Leipzig made than the moves that the French side made correctly, so the third highlight is this absolutely bonkers attempt at goal that only a star like Neymar can take. The free kick opportunity was far and at a bad angle, but that didn't stop the Brazilian from firing a curling low shot from the spot that was mere inches away from being one of the goals of the competition.
“Only Neymar. Only Neymar”
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
The Brazilian nearly scores an impossible free-kick. pic.twitter.com/xOXLvpT1EZ
Notable performances
Let's rate some of the notable performances on the day, with one being the worst and 10 being perfection:
Angel Di Maria, PSG
Absolutely lovely assist on the opening goal and got his goal just before half time. After serving a suspension against Atalanta, he took advantage and was the hero. Rating: 9
Presnel Kimpembe, RB Leipzig
Tall, strong and dominant. Read passes well, headed out dangerous balls and was superb. Rating: 8
Peter Gulacsi, RB Leipzig
Horrific error led to the second goal for PSG. Really put his team in a tough spot, and that was the nail in the coffin. Rating: 4
A look ahead
Paris Saint-Germain now await their fate in the Champions League final, where they will face the winner of the other French-German semifinal between Bayern Munich and Lyon. That match takes place on Wednesday at 3 p.m., with the final taking place on Sunday.
You can stream every match on CBS All Access. Sign up now and enjoy one month of CBS All Access for free ahead of the opening match. If you're a CBS All Access subscriber looking for a match that's live right now, go directly to the UEFA Champions League page. Every match will be available on demand shortly after the final whistle. We will be with you the entire way providing updates, analysis and highlights below.
CBS was with you the entire way providing updates, analysis and highlights below.
PSG 3, RB Leipzig 0 (FINAL)
⚽PSG: Marquinhos (13')
⚽PSG: Di Maria (42')
⚽PSG: Bernat (56')
Live updates
We're incredibly proud of our team and to be able to call ourselves @ChampionsLeague semi-finalists 🙏
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) August 18, 2020
Thank you for all your support this season! ❤️
🔴⚪ #DieRotenBullen pic.twitter.com/Hv4NVnt6PR
This team!! What a season we’ve had. So proud of everything we’ve achieved. Unfortunately the CL adventure ends here but we’ll be back 👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/HXEz6R55uW
— Tyler Adams (@tyler_adams14) August 18, 2020
Pure elation ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/BbWneYHU1g
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 18, 2020
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU 💪
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 18, 2020
❤️💙#ICICESTPARIS pic.twitter.com/eoNegLCniv
💥🔥 FINALISTS 💥🔥 Together, writing the history of @PSG_inside! Night to remember 😱🤩 #icicestparis #Pure #ParisEstMagique pic.twitter.com/nASqNQKlnm
— Sergio Rico González (@sergiorico25) August 18, 2020
ONE STEP TO MAKE HISTORY... pic.twitter.com/Itq4Nupymi
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) August 18, 2020
Not to worry PSG fans...
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
Neymar's shirt swap won't lead to any trouble, says @honigstein. pic.twitter.com/EYo30BBI3j
This team. This club ❤️💙
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 18, 2020
How are you feeling tonight? 😏 pic.twitter.com/6V2P3J7D3D
That @ChampionsLeague final feeling... 🙌 pic.twitter.com/J6133YTnZP
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
🗣️ Sporting director Markus #Krösche:
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) August 18, 2020
"@PSG_English played really well over the 90 minutes and deserved the win. We weren't fully at the races and didn't have much control over the game."
🔴⚪ #DieRotenBullen #UCL #RBLPSG pic.twitter.com/hRYxBrilwF
We're staying in Lisbon!
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 18, 2020
A magnificent semi-final 😍
See you Sunday @ChampionsLeague!
🔴🔵#𝙒𝙚𝘼𝙧𝙚𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙨 pic.twitter.com/eIEb0tUDPx
VAR ref @MicahRichards?
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
He expresses his frustration with the use and lack of use of the replay system. pic.twitter.com/rljUMmdlQp
“I love the responsibility he has taken.”@Carra23 praises Neymar's skill and leadership throughout his time in Lisbon. pic.twitter.com/1SUuWbMCTk
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
🥰
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 18, 2020
🤳 @neymarjr / @KMbappepic.twitter.com/m2KGuGng2G
Most Assists in the Champions League - Since 2013-14
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) August 18, 2020
Neymar 24
Cristiano Ronaldo 21
Angel Di Maria 17
Luis Suarez 16 pic.twitter.com/buwWFn6REX
RB Leipzig have accomplished quite a bit in their remarkable 11-year journey.
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
▪️ Formed in 2009 as a fifth-tier club
▪️ Joined Bundesliga in 2016 after four promotions in seven years
▪️ Bundesliga runner-up in 2017
▪️ Champions League Semifinalists in 2020 pic.twitter.com/No8riz01t2
To put Leipzig’s #UCL campaign in context, 7 players who were still on the books in the 2. Bundesliga featured in the semi-final tonight.
— James Thorogood (@UEFAcomJamesT) August 18, 2020
Gulácsi, Orban, Klostermann, Halstenberg, Sabitzer, Forsberg and Poulsen.
What a journey. It’s been a joy to follow. @RBLeipzig_EN
RB Leipzig have accomplished quite a bit in their remarkable 11-year journey.
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
▪️ Formed in 2009 as a fifth-tier club⁰
▪️ Joined Bundesliga in 2016 after four promotions in seven years⁰
▪️ Bundesliga runner-up in 2017⁰
▪️ Champions League Semifinalists in 2020 pic.twitter.com/Q0uCSgxEmz
"I don’t have to stick to goalkeeping to know about football. I just know stuff."@Pschmeichel1 is the winner of the @ChampionsLeague bracket and makes sure @Carra23 knows 😃 pic.twitter.com/JsAMwFQh2a
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
“⁰I don’t have to stick to goalkeeping to know about football. I just know stuff."@Pschmeichel1 is the winner of the @ChampionsLeague bracket and makes sure @Carra23 knows 😃 pic.twitter.com/2uegBMr6JF
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
THIS GROUP 😍
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 18, 2020
ONTO THE FINAL! @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/TKMtKJ1h3J
Deserved winners. Congrats, @PSG_English 👏 https://t.co/oG26p0cFYY
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) August 18, 2020
Cool, composed, and clinical.
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
PSG are into their first @ChampionsLeague final! pic.twitter.com/HFYtHSvhqs
WE’VE DONE IT! 🤩
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 18, 2020
WE ARE IN THE FINAL OF THE @ChampionsLeague!
❤️💙#𝗪𝗲𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀 pic.twitter.com/ZKdaUU4hqH
Our #MissaoFinal comes to an end. You did us proud, boys ✨
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) August 18, 2020
🔴⚪ #UCL #RBLPSG pic.twitter.com/lsFgUNoaO7
That’ll do it! @PSG_English are headed to their first ever @ChampionsLeague final 👊 pic.twitter.com/Rd5yAP1mGA
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 18, 2020
87’ Another double change, Choupo and Sarabia! #RBLPSG pic.twitter.com/xTUGrf600U
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 18, 2020
83’ Double change, Verratti and Draxler enter the game! #RBLPSG pic.twitter.com/iKczybBVVX
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 18, 2020
Willi #Orban enters the game, in place of Lukas #Klostermann 🔄
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) August 18, 2020
🔴⚪ #MissaoFinal #UCL #RBLPSG 0-3 (83') pic.twitter.com/rG7Yr1d0ts