UCL: PSG Edge Bayern In 9-goal Thriller First Leg Semifinal Clash 

Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich produced an epic Champions League semifinal as holders claimed a 5-4 first-leg victory at Parc des Princes.

In what was the highest-scoring semifinal game in the competition’s history, PSG recovered from an early Harry Kane penalty — the England captain’s 54th goal of the season — to lead 5-2 after 58 minutes.

ESPN reports that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé both scored twice and João Neves added a thumping header.

Michael Olise had rifled home a superb equaliser to make it 2-2, but the tie was slipping away from Bayern until Dayot Upamecano and Luis Díaz underlined their resolve.

Bayern boss Vincent Kompany was serving a touchline ban after picking up three yellow cards in the tournament.

PSG fans demanded a spot-kick for Aleksandar Pavlovic’s tackle on Dembélé, but it was the other penalty spot that Swiss referee Sandro Scharer was soon pointing at.

A swift Bayern counter-attack after 17 minutes ended with Olise feeding Diaz and Willian Pacho clattering the Colombian.

Kane converted easily to score for the sixth successive Champions League game, his 37th penalty success for Bayern in 39 attempts.

Bayern almost doubled their lead when Kane fed Olise and Matvey Safonov stuck out a hand for Marquinhos to clear off the line.

Dembélé passed up a one-on-one opportunity, shooting horribly wide, but PSG were level after 24 minutes.

Désiré Doué released Kvaratskhelia and the Georgian cut onto his right foot and picked out the far corner with a delicious finish.

Olise breezed past Nuno Mendes and Marquinhos for the ball to clip a post after striking João Neves.

The Portuguese midfielder soon had a major impact at the other end, meeting Dembélé’s corner with power and precision.

Doué dragged a shot just wide and Bayern levelled four minutes before the break as the outstanding Olise, having drifted infield, hammered a shot from 20 yards with PSG players surrounding him.

There was still time for further first-half drama as Dembélé’s cross hit Alphonso Davies from close range.

The ball struck Davies’ leg before making contact with his arm and the referee was sent to the VAR monitor.

If that was an ominous sign for Bayern, so was the award of a penalty as Dembélé stepped up to beat Manuel Neuer’s dive with perfect placement.

PSG took a firm grip on the tie with two goals in as many minutes before the hour mark.

Kvaratskhelia buried Achraf Hakimi’s cross and Doue then set up Dembélé whose disguised near-post shot kissed a post on its way in.

Bayern looked shell-shocked, but Upamecano met Joshua Kimmich’s free kick with a deft header after 65 minutes.

Three minutes later Díaz produced a moment of magic from Kane’s pass, controlling a dropping ball and holding off Marquinhos to score.

Initially denied by an offside flag, the goal stood after a VAR check to offer Bayern — who saw Kimmich’s stoppage-time attempt headed off the line by Pacho after Senny Mayulu had struck the upright for PSG — real belief they can turn around the tie in Bavaria.