PSG defeats Arsenal 1-0 and moves closer to the Champions League final

▲ Ousmane Dembélé (10), who disputes the ball with Mikel Merino (23), was the figure of the Parisians by scoring the winning goal in the fourth minute. Photo Afp

AFP and The Independent

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, p. a11

London. With a locker-room goal from Ousmane Dembélé and two miraculous saves from Gigi Donnarumma, PSG won 1-0 away to Arsenal yesterday in London, in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals.

The goal gave us confidence and calmness, I think the team continues to show that it is hungry , said PSG coach Luis Enrique, while the driving force and compass of the Parisians, the Portuguese Vitinha , pointed out that it is very difficult to win in this venue, we have been thinking about it since October (PSG's 2-0 defeat in the group stage), but we played a great match, although we did not have as much possession as usual .

Having lost their luster in April, with Ligue 1 already under their belt, PSG came out at the Emirates Stadium ready to knock out Arsenal. Their first 20 minutes were memorable: maddening pressure; authority, speed, and precision in attack. That's when Dembélé scored in the fourth minute.

The winger-turned-striker accelerated in midfield, playing on the left with Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who crossed for Dembélé himself to score with a first-time cross.

The French footballer confirmed his status as the continent's top scorer in 2025 by scoring 26 goals, for a total of 33 since the start of the season.

Kvaratskhelia, who arrived from Napoli in January, was a hurricane against an overstretched Jurrien Timber, claiming a penalty after being held back as he entered the box. On the half-hour mark, Spanish goalkeeper David Raya emerged and saved Désiré Doué's shot.

After dethroning Real Madrid with a resounding 5-1 victory in the quarterfinals, Arsenal were on the ropes, but with determination, they found a way out of the visitors' pressure.

The Gunners came close to equalising early in the second half with a free kick from Declan Rice, the hero against Real Madrid with his magical double from a set piece, which was headed in by Mikel Merino, but the referee signalled a pinpoint offside after a lengthy VAR deliberation.

The Londoners managed to balance the score with the Parisians, and once again Donnarumma was the hero, making a superb save from a one-on-one with Belgian Leandro Tossard in the 56th minute. In the final half hour, PSG forgot the exuberance of their opening minutes and transformed into a rocky block that Arsenal's cannons could not penetrate.

We have to adjust some things and understand that the margins are very small. The team improved, but in the end we had one on one and Donnarumma stopped it. That makes the difference , acknowledged his manager Mikel Arteta.

PSG will defend their slim lead next week at the Parc des Princes. The other semifinal is today, with Inter Milan hosting Barcelona.

From the editorial staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, p. a11

The Disciplinary Committee of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has suspended a Mazatlán FC player for six years for match manipulation in the 2025 Clausura tournament of the Liga MX Femenil.

In a statement on its social media, without revealing the name of the person punished, the national soccer governing body announced the sanction, which includes sporting, administrative, and representative aspects.

After reviewing the evidence and granting the parties involved a hearing, the Committee determined, based on the FMF Sanctions Regulations and the FIFA Code of Ethics, to ban one player for six years. We also inform you that, given the seriousness of the case and the sanction, this sanction will be forwarded to FIFA for its information.

A few weeks ago, a series of pieces of evidence were released on a social media account on X, which revealed a warning about betting on Maza-tlán Femenil.

The investigation officially began on April 11. From then on, social media conversations and some photographs and videos emerged that allegedly evidenced the negotiations in which the players were involved.

The Disciplinary Commission has initiated an investigation into the Mazatlán FC players of the Liga MX Femenil, in accordance with the Code of Ethics and the Sanctions Regulations, in particular, Appendix IV, regarding the integrity of the competition , the FMF reported after the evidence was released.

Two of the matches where match fixing allegedly took place were against Chivas, where Mazatlán lost 8-0, and against Tigres, in which they lost 7-0.

On April 11, Mazatlán issued a statement warning that players had reported receiving threats to join the gambling world.

The FMF stated that the Disciplinary Committee will continue to analyze the case in detail and investigate any other similar situations that violate FIFA and FMF regulations and jeopardize the integrity of the competitions.

▲ In a game that went to overtime, the Pacers defeated the Bucks 119-118 and won the series with their fourth win in five games (4-1). In the image, Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo rises above his rivals to score, although it was not enough to prevent his team from being eliminated. Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton led Indiana's offense with 26 points. In the Eastern Conference semifinals, they will face the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the other duel, the Pistols extended the series by defeating the Nicks 106-103. Photo AP

La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, p. a11