rewrite this title PSG 5-4 Bayern Munich: Champions League holders beat Bayern in nine-goal thriller in first leg of semi-final

A nine-goal Champions League classic saw holders PSG sensationally beat Bayern Munich 5-4 in the first leg of their semi-final in Paris.

The goal-fest, which saw Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer fail to make a save, was the first time in a European semi-final match that both teams scored four or more goals.

It was also the joint-highest scoring semi-final match in European Cup history after Rangers’ 6-3 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in 1960.

A remarkable five-goal first half at the Parc des Princes saw PSG lead 3-2 at half-time through Ousmane Dembele’s stoppage-time penalty.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Dembele then both scored in the space of 143 seconds to put PSG 5-2 up in the 58th minute.

But Bayern hit back with two goals in three minutes through Dayot Upamecano and Luis Diaz to make it 5-4 in the 68th minute and give them hope for next Wednesday’s return leg in Germany.

A topsy-turvy clash began with Harry Kane scoring from the spot for his 59th goal for club and country this season.

Kvaratskhelia, who scored twice in the win, quickly grabbed a superb leveller before Joao Neves headed PSG into the lead in the 33rd minute.

Michael Olise smashed in a 41st-minute equaliser only for Dembele to score a controversial penalty in the fifth minute of added time for an Alphonso Davies handball.

After a VAR review at the pitchside monitor, the referee gave the hosts a spot-kick after Dembele’s cross struck Davies’ leg before making contact with his arm.

Luis Enrique’s side then looked to be in complete control as Kvaratskhelia swept home before Dembele scored a lovely goal in off the post to give PSG a three-goal lead.

But Upamecano’s 65th-minute header set up a Bayern fightback as three minutes later Diaz wonderfully brought down Kane’s lobbed pass to fire past PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.

The ex-Liverpool forward’s goal was initially ruled out for offside before a VAR check overturned the decision to give the German champions hope of reaching a first Champions League final in six years.

What’s coming up for PSG and Bayern Munich?

Before next Wednesday’s return leg in Bavaria, PSG face Lorient in Ligue 1 on Saturday afternoon.

Already crowned champions of Germany, Bayern Munich face the Bundesliga’s bottom side, Heidenheim, on Saturday.