Kolkata: "We went through a lot in Paris, but that's football for you. It can be unfair sometimes. Today, we got a bit of luck." Luis Enrique's remarks perfectly captured a night where Paris St-Germain (PSG) and Liverpool had to settle things with penalties, but the real story resonates more with Ousmane Dembélé, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Nuno Mendes. Finding redemption feels even sweeter when you know how unpredictable football can be.

After successfully containing Mo Salah in Paris, Mendes faced a tough time trying to keep up with Harvey Elliott during Liverpool's last-minute win last week. But he managed to keep Salah in check again, making key plays like denying him early on, winning a foul, and clearing the ball away from him in the dying moments of the game. Plus, he was instrumental in starting the play that led to their 1-0 victory on Tuesday.

In Paris, Donnarumma didn’t have much to do for most of the match but faltered when it mattered. Once hailed as the best during Euro 2020, his Champions League blunders for PSG include letting in goals from teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Arsenal. The French press even labeled him a thug, and fans pointed fingers at him for the first-leg defeat against Barcelona last season.

However, at Anfield, Donnarumma stepped up as the hero, pushing the round of 16 tie to penalties. He made a crucial save against Darwin Nunez by diving to his left and then managed to stop Curtis Jones's shot, all while Dembélé was caught on camera celebrating with joy.

Dembélé's penalty was a standout moment for PSG during the shootout, sandwiched between Donnarumma's saves. After scoring, he shared a hug with his keeper. It was Dembélé's goal in the 12th minute that leveled the score at 1-1. Following that, Désiré Doué outsmarted Alisson to clinch the shootout 4-1, marking a surprising exit for PSG on an opponent's turf. This was a first for Liverpool, who had never lost a Champions League shootout after winning the first leg.

Dembélé moves with grace and is skilled with the ball, fitting seamlessly into PSG's dynamic forward line. He typically plays as a false nine but has the knack for dropping back, which can disrupt the opposing defense. In the eighth minute, he created an opportunity for Vitinha, who missed it. Mendes took advantage instead, and as Ibrahima Konate followed Vitinha to intercept a pass, Dembélé cleverly redirected the ball to Bradley Barcola. He then tapped in a goal after Konate failed to clear Barcola's delivery from Alisson effectively. Liverpool, who started strong, were suddenly caught off guard.

It almost happened again, but Dembélé's first touch was a bit too heavy. This match showcased two of Europe's elite teams—Liverpool leading the Champions League table and PSG riding high on 14 consecutive away victories. Donnarumma quickly had to deflect a shot from Salah. Dembélé also contributed defensively and tested Alisson during extra time. Before that, Trent Alexander-Arnold came close on two occasions, Dominik Szoboszlai had a goal ruled out for offside, and Jarell Quansah hit the post and missed another free header.

Dembélé has scored 21 goals in 2025, making him the top scorer among Europe’s elite leagues, and he’s netted 29 times in 36 games this season. Last year, he only managed six goals. PSG coach Enrique commented last month, “We all recognize his talent on the wings, but now we’re also seeing his skills in the center.”

It’s been quite a turnaround for Dembélé, who had a tough time at Barcelona, scoring just 40 goals over five seasons while carrying the weight of being the second most expensive transfer in history at €135 million. Former Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu even claimed, “Dembélé is a better player than Neymar.”

Injuries also plagued him; he missed 96 matches in his first four years at Barcelona, according to Sky Sports. He participated in only 127 out of 228 La Liga games, meaning he was absent for 63% of the league matches.

In 2022, Barcelona sidelined him from the first team when contract negotiations stalled. Dembélé referred to it as blackmail before eventually signing a two-year deal, finally starting to fulfill his potential under Xavi. However, uncertain about Barcelona’s willingness to trade him and Gavi for Kylian Mbappe or sell him to improve their financial situation, Dembélé activated his €50 million release clause when PSG showed interest in the summer of 2023.

The player who once struggled to fill Neymar Jr.'s shoes is now thriving as PSG’s choice when they realized Mbappe wouldn’t be staying. This shift is significant because the team is now filled with young talent—Doué and Warren Zaïre-Emery weren’t even born when Liverpool pulled off their famous comeback in Istanbul. In this rebuilding phase, teamwork takes precedence over individual star power. This squad is defensively solid and possesses a mental toughness that PSG has lacked in the past, allowing Dembélé to shine as a player who truly enjoys the game.

Read Also: Doubts Over Djokovic's Future Success

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!