Wolfsburg throws PSG out
Popp’s brilliant moment brings the CL semifinals
03/30/2023, 8:39 p.m
Winning the treble is still within the realm of possibility for VfL Wolfsburg. In the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, a draw against Paris St. Germain is enough for the German champions to advance to the semifinals. Striker Alexandra Popp scores worth seeing.
Alexandra Popp led the VfL Wolfsburg soccer team to the semi-finals of the Champions League with a dream goal. The German double winner fought a 1-1 (1-1) draw against Paris St. Germain in the second leg of the quarter-finals and can continue to hope for the first premier class triumph in nine years. Coach Tommy Stroot’s team won the first duel 1-0 in Paris.
“We are super happy and incredibly proud. It was a tough fight, we could actually have won the game. But we fought our way in. Paris put real pressure on,” said Popp on DAZN.
In front of 14,367 spectators in the arena on the Mittellandkanal, the DFB captain secured the ticket for the round of the top four for the Wolfsburg team with a remarkable flick (20′), where Arsenal are waiting in April. After catching up in the second leg on Wednesday, the English side ensured Bayern’s exit (2-0). Kadidiatou Diani’s equalizer (30′) wasn’t enough for PSG after the first-leg defeat.
Paris opening goal does not count
Just five days after VfL lost the Bundesliga lead in the top game in Munich to Bayern (0-1), the hosts found it difficult to get into the game before the eyes of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. PSG caused a moment of shock on the Wolfsburg side right from the start: Diani scored after a long ball behind the chain (12′), but the goal didn’t count due to an offside position.
A little later, VfL, who had already won the Champions League in 2013 and 2014, struck out of nowhere. After a pass from Felicitas Rauch, Popp hit the top right corner, which is well worth seeing. Diani brought the visitors back into play with a header, but had to leave the field just before the break.
In the second half, national goalkeeper Merle Frohms was challenged directly after a shot by Kheira Hamraoui. On the other hand, VfL couldn’t take advantage of their chances, so Popp missed the 100% opportunity to take the lead and only hit the post from close range (54th). Jill Roord (58th) failed free-standing to PSG keeper Sarah Bouhaddi. After that, Wolfsburg started again and again, but initially couldn’t get through.