Paris condemn Madrid to second semi-final defeat
Friday, April 15, 2016
Article summary
Real Madrid 1-3 Paris
The semi-final was heading for penalties until Aka Wilfride Kanga made it 2-1 with six minutes left, Jean-Kévin Augustin sealing it for Paris.
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- Two late strikes book Paris's place in Monday's final against Chelsea
- An Achraf Hakimi own goal gives Paris the early advantage
- Borja Mayoral levels, equalling the UEFA Youth League goals record in the process
- Substitute Aka Wilfride Kanga makes it 2-1; Jean-Kévin Augustin seals it
- Madrid suffer semi-final disappointment for the second time, having also lost in 2014
Paris Saint-Germain scored twice in the last seven minutes against Real Madrid as they won through to face holders Chelsea in Monday's UEFA Youth League final.
Paris took an early lead in fortuitous circumstances, Achraf Hakimi deflecting in a left-wing cross from Odsonne Edouard. The equaliser arrived when Alec Georgen clipped the sprightly José Carlos Lazo as he burst into the box, affording Borja Mayoral the opportunity to level from the spot.
Aka Wilfride Kanga restored Paris' lead with a clipped finish beyond Luca Zidane. Moments after the dismissal of José Carlos Lazo, Jean-Kévin Augustin turned Alejandro Salto and rifled in the clincher.
History maker: Borja Mayoral
Borja's successful penalty was his 15th goal in the UEFA Youth League. The 19-year-old is now level with Roberto Nuñez at the top of the competition's all-time list but leaves Nyon one shy of the Atlético Madrid player's leading seasonal total of nine.
Madrid's streak ends
Santiago Solari's charges had won their last six games in this competition by at least a two-goal margin. That run might have extended to seven had Lazo, teed up unselfishly by Borja, not shot wide with the score 1-1.
Familiar rivals
This was the sides' third UEFA Youth League meeting of the season and fourth overall, Paris having beat Madrid 4-1 at home on 21 October before losing 2-0 in the Spanish capital on 3 November. In an open game there was little between the sides – that is until Paris' late two-goal salvo.
Reaction
Santiago Solari, Madrid coach
We fought well, we played well, we kept possession well. They are a more powerful team than us and we stood up to them and had our chances. We just couldn't score when we had those opportunities – they withstood that pressure and then hit us on the counterattack. We were affected by the early deflection for their goal, but the first 20 minutes or so of the second half was all Madrid.
François Rodrigues, Paris coach
It's hugely satisfying for us because we began this Youth League adventure back in September and now we find ourselves, several months later, in the final. It's great for me, for the club and for the academy, as it shows that the academy is working well and that’s one of our ambitions.