Borussia Dortmund showed great composure to reach their third Champions League final after Mats Hummels’ second-half goal earned the visitors a 1-0 victory against a misfiring Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a deserved 2-0 aggregate victory on Tuesday.

Hummels headed home from a corner five minutes into the second half to send the Germans, who won the title in 1997, into their first final in Europe’s top club competition since 2013.

PSG hit the woodwork four times but failed to find the net as Kylian Mbappe, who is widely expected to leave the club at the end of the season, was a shadow of his usual brilliant self.

PSG, who entered the tie as favourites to reach their second final after they finished runners-up in 2020, made an aggressive start and Mbappe had their first chance in the seventh minute with a half-volley as the hosts piled on the pressure.

With Mbappe on the left flank and Goncalo Ramos as a lone striker, the France forward had some space out wide and the possibility to cut in and threaten the Dortmund goal.

The visitors, however, were composed and held
firm. Their confidence grew and they had their first opportunity through Julian Ryerson, whose shot hit the side
netting.

Dortmund had a better chance in the 35th when, after a sharp counter attack following a woeful Mbappe miss, Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off a brilliant save to deny Karim Adeyemi.

PSG were lucky the score on the night was level at halftime. Luis Enrique’s side stepped up a gear after the break with Warren Zaire Emery’s shot hitting the outside of the post after Mbappe’s attempt was deflected into his path by Ramos.

But Dortmund were more clinical as Hummels headed home from a corner five minutes after the interval to double the German side’s advantage over the two legs.

Ramos’s shot on the turn then went just over and Nuno Mendes’s 25-metre missile hit the post as PSG reacted
swiftly. Another Mbappe attempt was deflected onto the bar before Vitinha’s powerful shot also hit the woodwork.

PSG’s Ousmane Dembele was a constant threat after the hour mark but, just like the rest of the team, the France forward came more into the game far too late against a side who never lost their composure and fully deserve their place in the final.

Making amends

Dortmund win made amends for last season’s disappointing Bundesliga finale, coach Edin Terzic said. He went to the fans after the game and said he felt he had to make up for last season’s failure to win the Bundesliga title after slipping up on the very last day.

“Last season, we lost the championship at home on the last matchday. I’m happy that we can now give something back to the fans,” Terzic said, remembering how Bayern Munich snatched the Bundesliga title from Dortmund on goal difference.

“(Going to the fans) was a very emotional moment. We wished it for last season’s last matchday. But today we could pay something back,” he said.

Marco Reus’s Borussia Dortmund career is coming to an end and what better way to sign off at the Ruhr valley club than with a return to Wembley Stadium for another shot at Champions League glory 11 years after he lost there in
the final.

“Indescribable. After more than 10 years, I am in the final with Borussia again,” said Reus, who came on as a substitute on Tuesday.

Reuters, AP/PTI