A second-half header from the superb Mats Hummels gave Borussia Dortmund 1-0 win and 2-0 aggregate victory over a disappointing Paris Saint-Germain.
The hosts hit the woodwork four times on the night and six times over the tie but the Bundesliga’s fifth-placed side were comfortably superior over the two legs and will now face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich – who beat them at Wembley in the 2013 final – to determine the champions of Europe.
The pre-match atmosphere suggested an intense start from the home side but in the event, PSG struggled to get going while Dortmund’s defensive discipline and counter-attacking enterprise kept them well in check.
And Dortmund came closer to extending their lead than PSG did to equalising it with Karim Adeyemi forcing a decent save from Gianluigi Donnarumma in the first half’s best moment.
Though Warren Zaire-Emery hit the post shortly after the break, Dortmund were the in ascendancy when, on 50 minutes, Hummels scored what always felt like the clinching goal, heading home powerfully when picked out at the back post by Julian Brandt.
PSG upped the pace thereafter, hitting bar and post a further three times. But led by Hummels and the equally excellent Nico Schlotterbeck, Dortmund were always in relative control and fully deserved a win inspired by Edin Terzic’s tactical masterclass.
So Kylian Mbappe looks set to depart his hometown club having failed to win the Champions League, while Dortmund will feel confident of concluding what could be one of the great cup runs – with good reason. Whoever they meet, we’re in for a treat.