'I'm trying to think of one better': Football world in awe of one of the greatest games ever
Updated . First published at
Australian football fans who got up early on Wednesday (AEST) were treated to one of the wildest - and best - games in Champions League history.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will take a 5-4 lead into the second leg of their semi-final against Bayern Munich, who had entered the tie as the bookmakers' favourites to win the title.
The clash of the titans at Parc des Princes had more twists and turns than a drunk man's search for a kebab shop after losing his phone.
Football's new home, Stan Sport, is the only place to watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, WSL, J.League, NSWL and K League
Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Getty
"Have you ever seen football on this level?" commentator Guy Mowbray pondered after Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele scored his second goal.
That strike made it 5-2 to PSG after 58 minutes as journalists thought they could comfortably lock in the top of their match reports.
Just 10 minutes later, Bayern had whittled the lead to 5-4 as Dayot Upamecano and Luis Diaz joined the mayhem.
READ MORE: Chiefs fume at Johnston for breaking bogus signing news
READ MORE: Tigers insiders 'aren't concerned' with Luai's Chiefs move
READ MORE: Thorny consequences facing NRL after Luai's monster deal
Such massive scorelines are often possible due to shoddy defence.
But this was sublime attacking football from two elite teams as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also scored twice to stake his claim for this year's Ballon d'Or.
"Wonderfully ridiculous," Mowbray said.
"We are watching a game that's going to go down in football history. I'm trying to think of one better."
Dembele's first goal came from a controversial penalty decision while Bayern superstar Harry Kane was also successful from the spot.
It was the highest scoring semi-final match in Champions League history - the previous record was seven - as Bayern fought back brilliantly.
Luis Diaz of Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal. UEFA via Getty Images
Defender Upamecano's header midway through the second half from Joshua Kimmich's free kick gave Bayern hope and Diaz's stinging strike made it a one goal deficit.
Kane's penalty gave Bayern the lead in the 17th minute and Kvaratskhelia equalised soon after for PSG.
Midfielder Joao Neves - who is only 170cm - then headed PSG ahead from a corner.
A dramatic first half saw Michael Olise equalise after bursting into the area before Swiss referee Sandro Scharer awarded a penalty when a video review spotted a handball from Canada defender Anthony Davies.
"It's one of the greatest games I've ever been to," England legend Alan Shearer said.
"Two teams that believe in their own ability to outscore their opponent."
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with Desire Doue and Nuno Mendes. Getty
The second leg is in Munich next week.
"Both teams have got so much quality at the top end of the pitch," Wayne Rooney said.
"It was crazy, it was chaotic and we saw some great goals."
PSG manager Luis Enrique was as enthralled as the 48,000 fans.
"We deserved to win, we deserved to lose, we deserved to draw," Luis Enrique said.
"It was an exceptional match, I have never experienced a match of such intensity as a coach. I have never seen a rhythm like that, it was incredible, you have to congratulate all the players."
Bayern manager Vincent Kompany said he was ready to take even more risks in the second leg.
"The Allianz Arena is a mythical area where Bayern has enjoyed much success," Kompany said.
"There is no middle ground. We will give everything, everything, everything we have. We're waiting for them, we want this."
Kompany was suspended and watched from the stands, so assistant Aaron Danks took over on the touchline as Bayern lost for the first time in any competition since January.
PSG's penalty was contested by Bayern's players.
Davies turned his body to Dembele's right wing cross but the ball bounced off his hip and hit his arm.
Although Davies was turning away from play he failed to keep his hands behind his back.
"The rules about handball change every week," Kompany said.
"The ball hits the body then the hand and you give a penalty, I don't agree."
Dembele fired the penalty past Manuel Neuer - who guessed the right way - to send PSG ahead 3-2 at the break.
"Two great teams who attack and don't question themselves," Dembele said.
"It was an incredible match, but now we go to Munich to qualify. We won't change our way of playing, and it will be two teams who attack."
Luis Enrique was exhausted just watching.
"I'm so tired, and I didn't run a single kilometre. So I don't how the players are feeling," the former Spain midfielder said.
He does not expect any respite next week.
Luis Enrique celebrating victory in Munich. Getty
"I just asked my staff ' how many goals do you think we will need to win this match?' They said 'minimum three.' Bayern Munich in their stadium are even stronger but we will try and show the same mentality."
The second semi-final kicks off with Atletico Madrid hosting Arsenal on Thursday (AEST).
- with AP
HOW THE WILD MATCH UNFOLDED
- 17' Harry Kane (P) - 1-0 Bayern
- 24' Kvicha Kvaratskhelia - 1-1
- 33' Joao Neves - 2-1 PSG
- 41' Michael Olise - 2-2
- 45+5' Ousmane Dembele - 3-2 PSG
- 56' Kvaratskhelia (2) - 4-2 PSG
- 58' Dembele (2) - 5-2 PSG
- 65' Dayot Upamecano - 5-3 PSG
- 68' Luis Diaz - 5-4 PSG
