Wolfsburg 1-1 PSG (agg. 2-1): Player ratings as Lupe reach UWCL semi-finals again

By Jaime Spencer

Wolfsburg reach the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League for the third time in four seasons after defeating Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 at the Volkswagen Arena.

The German went into the second leg holding a slim 1-0 aggregate lead thanks to a Dominique Janssen penalty in Paris last week.

Alexandra Popp’s stunning first-half goal, her first in the competition for more than two years, was ultimately what decided the equaliser. The veteran striker first struck a fine shot from the edge of the penalty area that went past PSG goalkeeper and eight-time UWCL winner Sarah Bouhaddi.

Wolfsburg had plenty of chances to press their lead throughout the match, with Popp having a diving header saved not long after his goal and later missing further chances.

PSG equalized through Kadidiatou Diani in the first half to bring them within one goal of leveling the aggregate score, launching a header from six yards.

To their credit, both sides tried hard to get the next goal, with Popp going closest of all in the second half when he hit the post from close range when it would have been easier to score.

Wolfsburg have reached eight Champions League semi-finals – only Lyon have played in more – and won the trophy twice. With the entire knockout bracket already drawn when the quarter-final draw is made, they will face Arsenal after the Gunners emerged victorious over two legs against Bayern Munich. The tie will be played at the end of April.

Wolfsburg player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Frohm (6); RB: Wilms (7), BC: Henry (7), BC: Janssen (7), LB: Rauch (8); CM: Oberdorf (7), CM: milky wine (6) ;RM: Huth (8), I AM: roords (7), LM: Jonsdottir (6); ST: Pops (9)

Subtitles: Pajor (6), Brand (N/A)

PSG player ratings (4-3-3)

GK: Bouhaddi (7); RB: Lawrence (7), BC: Jean-Francois (7), BC: Geyoro (8), LB: Karchaoui (7); CM: do (6), CM: Hamraoui (7), CM: Bachmann (6); RW: Baltimore (6), ST: Diana (7), LW: Martens (7)

Subtitles: Vangsgaard (6), Li (6), Albert (6), Traore (6)