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PSG edge out Bayern with Korean players benched

Published: 29 Apr. 2026, 09:28 Updated: 29 Apr. 2026, 10:42

Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) Georgian forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, third from left, celebrates with PSG's French midfielder Desire Doue and PSG's Portuguese midfielder Vitinha after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes in Paris on April 28. [AFP/YONHAP]

The defending champions, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), have defeated the German giants Bayern Munich in the opening leg of the semifinals at the UEFA Champions League, with the potential Korean derby featuring two national team stars not coming to fruition.

PSG prevailed 5-4 in the goalfest at Parc des Princes in Paris on Tuesday, as PSG midfielder Lee Kang-in and Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae both watched from the bench.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele each grabbed a brace for the winning side, while Joao Neves had the other goal. Four players had a goal apiece for the losing team, including their top scorer, Harry Kane.

The return leg will be at Allianz Arena in Munich at 9 p.m. next Tuesday.

After winning their first-ever UEFA Champions League title last year, PSG is trying to become the first repeat champions since Real Madrid captured three consecutive titles from 2016 to 2018.

Bayern Munich's English forward Harry Kane applauds his supporters with teammates at the end of the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes in Paris on April 28. [AFP/YONHAP]

Bayern Munich is chasing its seventh Champions League crown and its first since 2020.

These two clubs previously met during the league phase of this year's competition in November last year in Paris, where Lee and Kim were both subbed in as Bayern came away with a 2-1 victory.

In the semifinals, Kane got the ball rolling for the visitors with his 17th-minute penalty before Kvaratskhelia and Neves scored for PSG in the 24th and 33rd minutes, respectively, to put the home team ahead.

Michael Olise equalized for Bayern in the 41st minute, but then Dembele's penalty during stoppage time gave PSG a 3-2 lead entering the break.

Kvaratskhelia and Dembele then scored two minutes apart early in the second half for a 5-2 PSG advantage.

Dayot Upamecano and Luis Diaz responded for Bayern, but the German club couldn't get any closer.

PSG players celebrate after Ousmane Dembele scored their side's third goal during a Champions League semifinal, first leg, football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in Paris, Tuesday, April 28. [AP/YONHAP]

Two Korean players have won a UEFA Champions League title — Lee last year and former Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung in 2008. However, neither player took the field in those championship matches.

Park played in the 2009 and 2011 finals for Man United, but they lost to FC Barcelona on both occasions.

In the 2019 final, then Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min played in a 2-0 loss to Liverpool.

Yonhap