Nine goals in a single match: Where does the PSG-Bayern clash stand in Champions League history?
It is rare for a game to live up to the hype, but Tuesday night delivered one of the most thrilling encounters ever seen at the Parc des Princes, as Paris Saint-Germain faced Bayern Munich. Fans were treated to a spectacular match featuring nine goals. Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 17th minute, before PSG responded with strikes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (25′) and João Neves (33′). Michael Olise equalized in the 41st minute, only for Ousmane Dembélé to restore PSG’s lead from the penalty spot just before halftime (45+5′). After the break, Kvaratskhelia (56′) and Dembélé (59′) extended the lead to 5-2, but Bayern fought back with goals from Dayot Upamecano (65′) and Luis Díaz (69′).
Both teams then eased the tempo, as if accepting that no decisive outcome would be reached that night. PSG’s 5-4 victory leaves everything open for next week, when these two giants meet again for the second leg of what is already an epic clash between arguably Europe’s two best club sides. Nine goals in a single UEFA Champions League match is not unprecedented. A look at the Transfermarkt database reveals three matches with even more goals. In 2016, Borussia Dortmund beat Legia Warsaw 8-4; in November 2003, Monaco defeated Deportivo La Coruña 8-3; and last season, Bayern crushed Dinamo Zagreb 9-2.
**Overview: The Highest-Scoring Champions League Matches**
Tuesday’s match did not set a record, but it came close to another remarkable feat. Only once has there been more goals in a Champions League knockout-stage match—and Bayern was involved again. During the pandemic, the German giants beat Barcelona 8-2 in the semifinal on their way to a second treble. In the Champions League era, only two other matches have featured nine goals: in March 2005, Olympique Lyon beat Werder Bremen 7-2, and earlier this season, Barcelona thrashed Newcastle United 7-2. While those matches also had nine goals, they lacked the drama of Tuesday’s encounter. And the best part? Next week, we get another 90 minutes of action.
