Paris Saint-Germain took a major step toward reaching the UEFA Champions League final after a 1-0 away victory over Arsenal on Tuesday night. Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike separated the sides, giving the French champions a slender advantage going into the return leg at the Parc des Princes on May 7.

It took just four minutes for PSG to break the deadlock in north London. Dembélé, returning to the squad after missing their last meeting with Arsenal, launched a rapid counter from midfield, playing the ball out wide to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian winger drove at Jurrien Timber before slipping a perfectly weighted pass back to Dembélé, who fired home via the far post.

The goal gave PSG immediate control of the match and highlighted the sharpness that has carried them through the knockout stages, having already eliminated Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Playing in their first Champions League semi-final since 2009, Arsenal entered the tie with confidence after a 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid. The Emirates crowd was electric, and captain Declan Rice rallied his teammates in the tunnel, shouting, “If we don’t have the ball, we die.”

Despite the fiery build-up and a passionate video message from Mikel Arteta, Arsenal struggled to impose themselves. Gabriel Martinelli had a golden chance to level the score just before halftime, but PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made a stunning save to preserve the lead.

Arsenal started the second half strongly and thought they had equalised when Mikel Merino headed in from a Rice free-kick. However, the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. Moments later, Leandro Trossard tested Donnarumma again, but the Italian keeper was equal to the effort.

As the home side pushed forward, PSG looked to kill the game on the counter. Substitute Bradley Barcola wasted a glorious chance when he raced clear but missed the target. Minutes later, Gonçalo Ramos struck the crossbar from close range, leaving coach Luis Enrique in disbelief on the sidelines.

Though PSG missed chances to increase their lead, they managed the final stages with composure, slowing down the tempo and frustrating Arsenal’s momentum. The result ended Arsenal’s 18-match unbeaten run at home in European competition.

While PSG head into the second leg as favourites, they remain cautious given their history of dramatic exits in Europe. Arsenal, meanwhile, will take hope from their strong second-half showing and know a single goal in Paris could shift the balance.

The second leg will be played on May 7 in Paris. The winner will face either Barcelona or Inter Milan in the final, as the race to be crowned Europe’s best reaches its climax.