Dembele, Donnarumma lift PSG past Arsenal in 1st leg of UCL semis

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal Tuesday, building an advantage to take home to the French capital for next week's second leg.

Leading scorer Ousmane Dembele continued his remarkable season by scoring the lone goal of the match. He smacked a low shot in off the post in the fourth minute of play at the Emirates Stadium. He later left the game in the second half with an apparent injury, which coach Luis Enrique will be sweating ahead of the return fixture.

"It's not serious, it's something very minor, but he's probably a doubt for the second leg," the PSG coach said of his star forward's status.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, one of PSG's protagonists during their Champions League run, stood tall to prevent an Arsenal equalizer, making five saves during the engrossing contest.

He denied Gabriel Martinelli in a one-on-one situation in the first half, then produced a stunning fingertip save to keep out Leandro Trossard's effort after the interval and preserve the narrow win.

Arsenal's first home defeat in 18 European matches means they'll need to pull off a rare comeback to reach their first Champions League final since 2006; only two teams have ever reached the showpiece match after losing the first leg of the semifinal tie at home.

"It's a good statement, it's very hard to win here," PSG midfielder Vitinha said after the match, according to Agence France-Presse. "We thought that in October (when PSG lost 2-0). We played well even if we didn't have the ball like we usually do. That's what good teams do. When they have to defend, they defend. We have to adapt to each match."

Arsenal thought they found an equalizer early in the second half, but Mikel Merino was offside, barely, before heading home a free-kick from Declan Rice. The goal was chalked off after a lengthy VAR review.

The match ebbed and flowed, with PSG's skillful forwards looking dangerous every time they broke forward and Arsenal carrying a threat in possession.

PSG could come to rue a pair of late missed opportunities, as substitutes Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos each came within inches of extending the French side's lead in the final 10 minutes. The former slid a shot agonizingly wide, while the Portuguese striker hit the crossbar.

The second leg is slated for May 7 at the Parc des Princes.

The winner of the tie will play either Barcelona or Inter Milan in the Champions League final.