Our Champions League Awards honour the best – and worst – of this week’s semi-final action as Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan reached the final.
Moment of the Week
A Champions League semi-final that will live long in the memory.
After a six-goal thriller in the first meeting, Inter Milan and Barcelona delivered another classic contest in the return. Inter appeared to have blown it after squandering a two-goal lead to trail, with Raphinha’s 87th-minute goal putting Barcelona ahead on aggregate.
The Italians trailed with just two minutes of stoppage time to go but were rescued by the unlikeliest of heroes. Francesco Acerbi, the club’s 37-year-old central defender, was thrust forward as an auxiliary forward and slammed in a late equaliser to force extra time.
Look how much it means to Francesco Acerbi 🥹 pic.twitter.com/7jIJEWqPab
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) May 6, 2025
Acerbi’s career has not followed the conventional route. At 25, he twice recovered from cancer to continue his career. He only became a Serie A regular at 26, won his first trophy at 31, and his maiden league title last season. Now, the veteran has just scored his first-ever Champions League goal and what a time to get it.
Acerbi’s shirtless celebration as the San Siro celebrated around him has already become iconic imagery.
Player of the Week
Paris Saint-Germain underlined their status as favourites by beating Arsenal in both legs. At the heart of their win at the Parc des Princes this week was Joao Neves, part of the new era in the French capital.
Signed last summer as one of Europe’s most coveted young talents, he has lived up to that billing.
Against Arsenal, he was outstanding, leading the game for duels (12) and tackles won (6). Neves might be short in stature, but he boasts deceptive strength, timing, and tenacity. He went toe-to-toe with Arsenal’s powerful midfield unit and won, without compromising on the intelligent decisions with the ball. He’s some talent.
João Neves’ game by numbers vs. Arsenal [RANK]:
19 duels contested [🥈]
12 duels won [🥇]
12 defensive actions [🥈]
7 tackles attempted [🥈]
6 tackles won [🥇]
5 clearances [🥉]
1 blockAn absolute Monster in Central Midfield. 🛡️ pic.twitter.com/ffYswNaugF
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) May 7, 2025
Goal of the Week
There’s not a better full-back in world football than Achraf Hakimi right now.
The Moroccan was a bullet train against Arsenal and capped a standout showing with the goal that sealed PSG’s place in the Champions League final.
It was a goal that encapsulated the best of Hakimi, with speed and sharpness to regain possession and sublime technique to bend a finish beyond David Raya. He’s now got eight goal involvements in the Champions League this season, three more than any other defender.
HAKIMI GETS ANOTHER FOR PSG!
He fires it past David Raya into the bottom corner to surely seal victory for PSG 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/fykTRfhC8R
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 7, 2025
Save of the Week
We were treated to some goalkeeping masterclasses this week with Inter’s Yann Sommer and PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma in terrific form.
Sommer earns our Save of the Week award, after a stunning sprawling stop to deny Eric Garcia with the goal gaping. The Swiss shot-stopper’s 14 saves over the two legs against Barcelona were the second-most recorded in a Champions League semi-final on record.
Yann Sommer masterclass ⛔👏@QatarAirways | #LetsFly pic.twitter.com/Dk7aKhSl0p
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 6, 2025
Stat of the Week
Arsenal are certainly feeling the absence of Gabriel Maghalaes…
5 – Since the start of April, no Premier League side has conceded more goals from set plays (excl. pens) in all competitions than Arsenal (5, level with Ipswich Town). Turnabout. pic.twitter.com/3PKwUNxCB8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 7, 2025
Miss of the Week
PSG have found themselves on the wrong end of La Remontada before, but Bukayo Saka’s shocking miss prevented a nervy finish at the Parc des Princes. Just minutes after pulling a goal back for the Gunners, Saka somehow did this.
Bukayo Saka misses from close range 😬
Just minutes after pulling a goal back for Arsenal, he fires the ball over the crossbar ❌
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/NAsmHnzQ3h
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 7, 2025
Read – Arteta adamant Arsenal have been the Champions League’s best side despite PSG exit
See more – When is the 2025 Champions League final? Date and venue for PSG vs Inter
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